Title | Galectin-3 is expressed in the notochord, developing bones, and skin of the postimplantation mouse embryo. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1995 |
Authors | Fowlis D, Colnot C, Ripoche MA, Poirier F |
Journal | Dev Dyn |
Volume | 203 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 241-51 |
Date Published | 1995 Jun |
ISSN | 1058-8388 |
Keywords | Animals, Antigens, Differentiation, Bone and Bones, Embryo, Mammalian, Embryonic Development, Female, Galectin 3, Mice, Notochord, Pregnancy, Skin, Tissue Distribution |
Abstract | The galectins are a family of low molecular weight, calcium-independent mammalian carbohydrate binding proteins that exhibit specificity for beta-galactoside derivatives. We have examined the expression pattern of galectin-3 in the developing mouse embryo by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. In the embryo proper, galectin-3 message and protein are first detected in notochord, starting from 8.5 days post coitum (dpc), and persist until this structure disappears. Galectin-3 is later found in cartilage primordia and in developing skin from 13.5 dpc. This very restricted and dynamic pattern suggests that galectin-3 may participate in the establishment and/or maintenance of notochord as well as the formation of cartilage and differentiation of skin. Finally, we find that galectin-3, which is identical to the macrophage marker Mac-2, is also expressed in embryonic macrophages. |
DOI | 10.1002/aja.1002030211 |
Alternate Journal | Dev. Dyn. |
PubMed ID | 7655085 |