Perlecan is essential for cartilage and cephalic development

Nat Genet. 1999 Nov;23(3):354-8. doi: 10.1038/15537.

Abstract

Perlecan, a large, multi-domain, heparan sulfate proteoglycan originally identified in basement membrane, interacts with extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors and receptors, and influences cellular signalling. Perlecan is present in a variety of basement membranes and in other extracellular matrix structures. We have disrupted the gene encoding perlecan (Hspg2) in mice. Approximately 40% of Hspg2-/- mice died at embryonic day (E) 10.5 with defective cephalic development. The remaining Hspg2-/- mice died just after birth with skeletal dysplasia characterized by micromelia with broad and bowed long bones, narrow thorax and craniofacial abnormalities. Only 6% of Hspg2-/- mice developed both exencephaly and chondrodysplasia. Hspg2-/- cartilage showed severe disorganization of the columnar structures of chondrocytes and defective endochondral ossification. Hspg2-/- cartilage matrix contained reduced and disorganized collagen fibrils and glycosaminoglycans, suggesting that perlecan has an important role in matrix structure. In Hspg2-/- cartilage, proliferation of chondrocytes was reduced and the prehypertrophic zone was diminished. The abnormal phenotypes of the Hspg2-/- skeleton are similar to those of thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) type I, which is caused by activating mutations in FGFR3 (refs 7, 8, 9), and to those of Fgfr3 gain-of-function mice. Our findings suggest that these molecules affect similar signalling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / embryology
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics*
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cartilage / abnormalities
  • Cartilage / embryology
  • Cartilage / growth & development*
  • Cartilage / metabolism
  • Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Chondrocytes / pathology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / analysis
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression
  • Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Growth Plate / abnormalities
  • Growth Plate / metabolism
  • Growth Plate / pathology
  • Head / abnormalities
  • Head / embryology
  • Head / growth & development*
  • Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans*
  • Heparitin Sulfate / deficiency
  • Heparitin Sulfate / genetics*
  • Heparitin Sulfate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Matrilin Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases*
  • Proteoglycans / deficiency
  • Proteoglycans / genetics*
  • Proteoglycans / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / deficiency
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / physiology
  • Thanatophoric Dysplasia / genetics

Substances

  • Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
  • Matn1 protein, mouse
  • Matrilin Proteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • TSP5 protein, human
  • perlecan
  • Heparitin Sulfate
  • FGFR3 protein, human
  • Fgfr3 protein, mouse
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3