Ankrd17, an ubiquitously expressed ankyrin factor, is essential for the vascular integrity during embryogenesis

FEBS Lett. 2009 Sep 3;583(17):2765-71. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.07.025. Epub 2009 Jul 18.

Abstract

Ankyrin repeat domain 17 (Ankrd17) encodes an ubiquitously expressed protein with two clusters of ankyrin repeats. We have used gene targeting strategy to ablate the Ankrd17 gene in mouse. The Ankrd17-deficient mice died between embryonic day (E) 10.5 and E11.5 due to cardiovascular defects. Serious hemorrhages were detected and the vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) surrounding the vessels were drastically reduced in the Ankrd17-deficient embryos, suggesting that the vascular maturation was not completed. Interestingly, vSMC differentiation marker genes were up-regulated in the mutant embryos. Our data have demonstrated the indispensability of Ankrd17 functioning for vascular maturation during early development. The Ankrd17-deficient mice also provide a new animal model for the analysis of the regulatory pathways of the differentiation of vSMC precursor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ankyrins / genetics
  • Ankyrins / metabolism*
  • Blood Vessels / cytology
  • Blood Vessels / embryology*
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / pathology
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Targeting
  • Hemorrhage
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / physiology*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Ankrd17 protein, mouse
  • Ankyrins
  • Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins