A novel gene, tendin, is strongly expressed in tendons and ligaments and shows high homology with chondromodulin‐I

• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.1126
• Publication Date: 2002-08-25T22:08:54Z
• Authors: Oliver Brandau; Alfons Meindl; Reinhard Fässler; Attila Aszódi
• Keywords: Homology

Chondromodulin-I (CHM1) was identified recently as an angiogenesis inhibitor in cartilage. It is highly expressed the avascular zones of cartilage but absent late hypertrophic region, which invaded by blood vessels during enchondral ossification. Blast searches with C-terminal part CHM1 available databases led to identification human and mouse cDNAs encoding a new protein, Tendin, that shares high homology CHM1. Based on computer predictions, Tendin type II transmembrane protein containing putative proteinase cleavage two glycosylation sites. Northern assays RNAs demonstrated strong expression 1.5-kb tendin transcript diaphragm, skeletal muscle, eye low levels all other tissues investigated. In 17.5-day-old embryos, situ hybridization revealed tendons ligaments. Additional signals were detected brain spinal cord, liver, lung, bowels, thymus, eye. Cartilage, where found, m-RNA. adult mice, neurons regions cord. The gene localized Xq22 several diseases have been mapped.