NSPc1, a novel mammalian Polycomb gene, is expressed in neural crest-derived structures of the peripheral nervous system

Anterior-posterior (A-P) patterning is a key element in early embryonic development. Polycomb group (PcG) genes act as transcriptional repressors to regulate A-P patterning by either directly or indirectly controlling the coordinated expression of the HOM/Hox homeobox (Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 7 (1997) 488; Trends Genet. 13 (1997) 167). We describe the isolation and characterization of a novel mammalian PcG gene, termed Nervous System Polycomb-1 (NSPcl). Human and mouse NSPc1 genes encode proteins with an N-terminal RING finger domain and share homology with Drosophila melanogaster lethal(3)73Ah and the mammalian Me118 and Bmi1 genes. Transcripts are observed at 10 dpc in the otic vesicle, urogenital bud and dorsal root ganglia. At 11.5 dpc, transcripts an present in a subset of neural crest cell derivatives of the peripheral nervous system, and in the neural tube. NSPc1 expression is ubiquitous in adult tissue. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.