Overlapping, complementary and site-specific expression pattern of genes of the EMILIN/Multimerin family

The EDEN gene superfamily comprises genes that contain the EMI domain, a structural motif recently identified in proteins of the extracellular matrix. We report here the detailed expression pattern of genes of the EMILIN/Multimerin family, the most numerous group of EDEN superfamily, during mouse development. In situ hybridization has revealed that the EMILIN/Multimerin genes are particularly expressed in the cardio-vascular system and in mesenchymal cells. In general, the territories of expression of each gene are partially overlapping or complementary with that of other members of the family and, usually, more than one gene of the family is active in different tissues, consistent with the possibility of functional compensation. The analysis is particularly relevant in the interpretation of gene targeting experiments.