Mouse Snail family transcription repressors regulate chondrocyte, extracellular matrix, type II collagen, and aggrecan.

ABSTRACT: Snail family genes are conserved among species during evolution and encode transcription factors expressed at different stages of development in different tissues. These genes are involved in a broad spectrum of biological functions: cell differentiation, cell motility, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. However, little is known about the target genes involved in these functions. Here we show that mouse Snail family members, Snail (Sna) and Slug (Slugh), are involved in chondrocyte differentiation by controlling the expression of type II collagen (Col2a1) and aggrecan. In situ hybridization analysis of developing mouse limb demonstrated that Snail and Slug mRNAs were highly expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Inversely, the expression of collagen type II mRNA disappeared during hype

SUBMITTER: Seki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2253659 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature