alpha 1(I) collagen gene expression in quail epiphyseal chondrocytes

We examined alpha1(I) collagen expression by using primary cultures of quai l epiphyseal chondrocytes which exhibit high levels of synthesis of cartila ge-specific collagens and do not undergo phenotypic modulation when replate d onto collagens I and II or fibronectin. These cells also synthesize pro a lpha1(I) collagen chain, however, al(I) mRNA fails to be detected by Northe rn blot and RNase protection analysis. Nuclear transcription rate with a 5 ' -end specific probe is detected in suspension quail chondrocytes and RT-P CR analysis shows the presence of low levels of alpha1(I) mRNA in these cel ls. The lack of correspondence between procollagen mRNA levels and the rate of collagen synthesis is consistent with previous reports describing the r egulation of this transcript in chondrocytes and in collagen I-producing ce lls. (C) 2001 Societe francaise de biochimie et biologic moleculaire / Edit ions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.