Type XIX collagen is a poorly characterized extracellular matrix component
thought to be involved in the formation of specialized basement membrane zo
nes. Here we examined the developmental expression of the mouse gene (Col19
a1) by in situ hybridization, Col19a1 expression during embryogenesis comme
nces at similar to E9.5 in the myotome and with a pattern that closely foll
ows the myogenic regulatory factor myf-5, Like myf-5, Col19a1 transcription
gradually decreases in differentiating skeletal muscle progenitors and con
comitantly to increased myogenin gene expression. Transient expression of C
ol19a1 in muscular tissues is confined to a few sites of the developing emb
ryo, such as limbs, tongue, and the smooth muscle layers of the stomach and
esophagus, Additional non-muscular sites of Col19a1 activity include the s
kin of the E16.5 embryos and the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the new
born brain, Unlike all other tissues, expression of Col19a1 in the central
nervous system gradually increases after birth, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.