Expression Patterns of Rbm24 in Lens, Nasal Epithelium, and Inner Ear During Mouse Embryonic Development

Background: RNA-binding proteins plays critical roles in several post-transcriptional regulatory processes. The RNA-binding protein, Rbm24, has been shown to be involved in the development of the heart and skeletal muscles by regulating different post-transcriptional processes such as splicing and stabilization of specific target mRNAs. Here, by performing a detailed expression and localization analysis in mice embryos, we show that Rbm24 protein is not only expressed in heart and skeletal muscles as previously reported, but it is also strongly and specifically detected in specific regions of all the head sensory organs during mouse development. Results: Rbm24 expression is indeed found to be activated in the lens, in the sensory olfactory epithelium and in mechanosensory cells of the auditory and vestibular systems. Within these territories, Rbm24 is shown to be restricted to distinct subdomains, potentially regulating cell specificity and proliferation. Moreover, Rbm24 protein is found to be restricted to the cytoplasmic compartment in all these organs, thus providing clues to the post-transcriptional activity that it may exert in these cells. Conclusions: Altogether, these results highlight that Rbm24 may potentially function as a novel key regulator for the development of the eye, nasal epithelium, and inner ear in vertebrates. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.