Extracellular Matrix-Associated Protein Sc1 Is Not Essential for Mouse Development

Abstract

Sc1 is an extracellular matrix-associated protein whose function is unknown. During early embryonic development, Sc1 is widely expressed, and from embryonic day 12 (E12), Sc1 is expressed primarily in the developing nervous system. This switch in Sc1 expression at E12 suggests an importance for nervous-system development. To gain insight into Sc1 function, we used gene targeting to inactivate mouse Sc1. The Sc1-null mice showed no obvious deficits in any organs. These mice were born at the expected ratios, were fertile, and had no obvious histological abnormalities, and their long-term survival did not differ from littermate controls. Therefore, the function of Sc1 during development is not critical or, in its absence, is subserved by another protein.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Colin Stewart for providing ES cells, Gwen Wong for expert advice on generation of the knockout mice, Galya Vassileva for help with microinjection, Robert Wurtzberger for synthesis of oligonucleotides and DNA sequencing, and Suzanne Baker for comments on the manuscript.

These studies were supported in part by Cancer Center CORE grant NIH P30 CA 21765-19 (P.J.M.) and by the American Lebanese and Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. R.F.M. is an Associate Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.