Expression of matrilin-1,-2 and-3 in developing mouse limbs and heart

The expression of matrilin-1, -2 and -3 was studied in the heart and limb d uring mouse development. Matrilin-1 is transiently expressed in the heart b etween days 9.5 and 14.5 p.c. Matrilin-2 expression was detected in the hea rt from day 10.5 p.c. onwards. In the developing limb bud, both matrilin-1 and -3 were observed first at day 12.5 p.c. Throughout development matrilin -3 expression was strictly limited to cartilage, while matrilin-1 was also found in some other forms of connective tissue. Matrilin-2 albeit present a round hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate, was mainly expressed i n non-skeletal structures. The complementary, but in part overlapping, expr ession of matrilins indicates the possibility for both redundant and unique functions among the members of this novel family of extracellular matrix p roteins. (C) Elsevier Science B.V./International Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.