PMID: 9551864Apr 29, 1998Paper

HB-GAM/pleiotrophin: localization of mRNA and protein in the chicken developing leg

The International Journal of Developmental Biology
J DreyfusM Vigny

Abstract

The heparin-binding growth-associated molecule HB-GAM (also named pleiotrophin) is a developmentally-regulated protein that belongs to a new family of heparin-binding molecules with putative functions during cell growth and differentiation. In order to study the localization of HB-GAM during chicken embryogenesis, we produced specific monoclonal antibodies to this factor. HB-GAM protein is first observed at stage 23 in the developing nervous system and later in the forming cartilage. We present an investigation of the HB-GAM mRNA expression and HB-GAM protein distribution in the developing leg by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical studies. We focused our attention on the development of the tibia, where the HB-GAM protein appears at stage 27-28, i.e., just after the condensation of the mesodermal precursor cells of the chondrocytes. The protein then progressively accumulates in the central part of the embryonic cartilage (diaphysis). It persists until stage 42-44 in the regions where hypertrophic cartilage is being replaced by bone marrow. In contrast to the protein, the transcript is first detected at stage 26-27 and later expressed essentially in the epiphysis until stage 37. Therefore the localization of the mRNA do...Continue Reading

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