Molecular characterization, chromosomal localization and gene expression of the mouse PEDF

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a 50 kD serpin first identified in fetal human RPE conditioned medium is a neurotrophic and cell-survival factor for human Y79 retinoblastoma and cerebellar granule cells in culture. Both the human PEDF cDNA and genomic DNA has been cloned and sequenced and the gene localized to human chromosome 17p13.1. We have now isolated a 1.2 kb mouse cDNA clone from a mouse liver lambda gt11 cDNA library using a labelled PCR product from human PEDF cDNA. Nucleic acid sequence demonstrates an 83% homology to the human PEDF cDNA. The gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 11 in a region of conserved synteny to human chromosome 17. By Northern blot analysis PEDF mRNA is seen in several adult mouse tissues and in the whole eye; it is most highly expressed in the mouse liver. In mouse embryonic development, the PEDF transcript is detected at E7, E11, E15 and E17, with maximum hybridization signal at E15. Availability of the mouse gene will now allow for transgenic studies that should further define the roles(s) of PEDF in vivo.