Sparc (Osteonectin) functions in morphogenesis of the pharyngeal skeleton and inner ear.

ABSTRACT: Sparc (Osteonectin), a matricellular glycoprotein expressed by many differentiated cells, is a major non-collagenous constituent of vertebrate bones. Recent studies indicate that Sparc expression appears early in development, although its function and regulation during embryogenesis are largely unknown. We cloned zebrafish sparc and investigated its role during development, using a mo rpholino antisense oligonucleotide-based knockdown approach. Consistent with its strong expression in the otic vesicle and developing pharyngeal cartilages, knockdown of Sparc function resulted in specific inner ear and cartilage defects that are highlighted by changes in gene expression, morphology and behavior. We rescued the knockdown phenotypes by co-injecting sparc mRNA, providing evidence that the knock

SUBMITTER: Rotllant J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2642737 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature