Loss of the RNA Binding Protein HuR in Early Murine Limb Mesenchyme Does Not Affect Development but Leads to Impaired Bone Homeostasis in Adulthood.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we examined how a critical posttranscriptional regulator, the RNA-binding protein HuR (gene name Elavl1), contributes to the development and maintenance of limb skeletal tissue. Using the Prx1-Cre knockout model, we examined the effect of germline knockout (Elavl1KO) and limb mesenchyme-specific knockout (MSC-Elavl1KO) of HuR on limb development. We found that Elavl1KO disrupted the development of the limb skeleton and was associated with a loss of signaling from the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). In contrast, MSC-Elavl1KO did not appear to affect skeletal development. Mature MSC-Elavl1KO mice appeared healthy, but their limb skeleton exhibited abnormal bone structure in both males and females at 2.5 months of age. Osteoblasts isolated from MSC-Elavl1KO mice exhibited lower

SUBMITTER: Fu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12631158 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature