Gamma Tropomyosin Gene Products Are Required for Embryonic Development

Abstract

The actin filament system is essential for many cellular functions, including shape, motility, cytokinesis, intracellular trafficking, and tissue organization. Tropomyosins (Tms) are rod-like components of most actin filaments that differentially affect their stability and flexibility. The Tm gene family consists of four genes, αTm, βTm, γTm (Tm5 NM, where “NM” indicates “nonmuscle”), and δTm (Tm4). Multiple isoforms of the Tm family are generated by alternative splicing of three of these genes, and their expression is highly regulated. Extensive spatial and temporal sorting of Tm isoforms into different cellular compartments has been shown to occur in several cell types. We have addressed the function of the low-molecular-weight Tms encoded by the γTm gene by eliminating the corresponding amino-terminal coding sequences from this gene. Heterozygous mice were generated, and subsequent intercrossing of the F₁ pups did not result in any viable homozygous knockouts. Genotype analysis of day 2.5 morulae also failed to detect any homozygous knockouts. We have failed in our attempts to delete the second allele and generate in vitro double-knockout cells, although 51 clones displayed homologous recombination back into the originally targeted locus. We therefore conclude that low-molecular-weight products from the γTm gene are essential for both embryonic development and cell survival.

This work was supported by grants to P.G. and G.S. by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC). P.G. is a Principal Research Fellow of the NH&MRC.

We thank past and present members of the ORU, particularly B. Vhrovski, for helpful discussions.