Defective forebrain development in mice lacking gp330/megalin.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 93(16): 8460-4, 1996 Aug 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8710893
gp330/megalin, a member of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene family, is expressed on the apical surfaces of epithelial tissues, including the neuroepithelium, where it mediates the endocytic uptake of diverse macromolecules, such as cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins, proteases, and antiproteinases. Megalin knockout mice manifest abnormalities in epithelial tissues including lung and kidney that normally express the protein and they die perinatally from respiratory insufficiency. In brain, impaired proliferation of neuroepithelium produces a holoprosencephalic syndrome, characterized by lack of olfactory bulbs, forebrain fusion, and a common ventricular system. Similar syndromes in humans and animals are caused by insufficient supply of cholesterol during development. Because megalin can bind lipoproteins, we propose that the receptor is part of the maternal-fetal lipoprotein transport system and mediates the endocytic uptake of essential nutrients in the postgastrulation stage.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Brain
/
Receptors, LDL
/
Membrane Glycoproteins
/
Holoprosencephaly
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Year:
1996
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States