Developmental Expression of Mouse Erythrocyte Protein 4.2 mRNA:
Evidence for Specific Expression in Erythroid Cells
Lingyun Zhu,
Samir B. Kahwash, and
Long-Sheng Chang
From the Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics,
the Section of Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine,
and the Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology Program, Children's
Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Erythrocyte protein 4.2 (P4.2) is an important component of the
erythrocyte membrane skeletal network with an undefined biologic function. Presently, very little is known about the expression of the
P4.2 gene during mouse embryonic development and in adult animals. By
using the Northern blot and in situ hybridization techniques, we have
examined the spatial and temporal expression of the P4.2 gene during
mouse development. We show that expression of the mouse P4.2 gene is
temporally regulated during embryogenesis and that the P4.2 mRNA
expression pattern coincides with the timing of erythropoietic activity
in hematopoietic organs. P4.2 transcripts are first detected in embryos
on day 7.5 of gestation and are localized exclusively in primitive
erythroid cells of yolk sac origin. These erythroid cells remain to be
the only source for P4.2 expression until the switch of the
hematopoietic producing site to fetal liver. In mid- and late-gestation
periods, P4.2 mRNA expression is restricted to the erythroid cells in
fetal liver and to circulating erythrocytes. Around and after birth, the site for P4.2 expression is switched from liver to spleen and bone
marrow, and P4.2 transcripts are only detected in cells of the
erythroid lineage. These results provide the evidence for specific P4.2
expression in erythroid cells. In addition, the timing and pattern of
expression of the P4.2 gene suggest the specific regulation of the P4.2
gene.
Blood, Vol. 91 No. 2 (January 15), 1998:
pp. 695-705
© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
