High impact information on Impg2

• Photoreceptors project from the outer retinal surface into a specialized glycocalyx, the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM), which contains hyaluronan (HA) and two novel proteoglycans, Spacr and Spacrcan [1].
• This provides direct evidence that the RHAMM-type HABMs in Spacrcan are involved in hyaluronan binding [1].
• Spacrcan mRNA is expressed in both retina and pineal gland and was detectable as early as embryonic day 15 [2].
• The purpose of this study was: to clone mouse Spacrcan; to characterize the promoter elements; to define the deduced amino acid sequence; to establish the time of Spacrcan expression during retinal development; and to determine the time of appearance and distribution of SPACRCAN protein [2].
• Spacrcan cDNA clone was obtained through PCR amplification of a mouse retina cDNA library, and RT-PCR amplification and 5'RACE of mouse retina RNA [2].

Biological context of Impg2

• The presence of several unique regulatory elements in the promoter region and characteristic molecular features shared with the orthologue in human and rat suggest an important functional role of SPACRCAN in the IPM [2].

Anatomical context of Impg2

• The time of appearance of the SPACRCAN protein during retinal development suggests that this matrix protein may establish the extracellular microenvironment into which photoreceptor outer segments are elaborated [2].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Impg2

• Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the tissue specificity of Spacrcan mRNA and to localize SPACRCAN in developing retina [2].
• Sequence analysis of PG10.2, a gene expressed in the pineal gland and the outer nuclear layer of the retina [3].

References