Temporal and spatial expression of murine acid beta-glucosidase mRNA

The hydrolysis of glucosylceramide (GC) to ceramide and glucose requires the action of the lysosomal enzyme, acid beta-glucosidase (GCase), encoded by gba in the mouse. Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessive disorder, results from the inherited deficiency of this enzyme. Although enzyme activity is present in all mammalian tissues, the patterns of mRNA expression have not been explored. In situ hybridization analyses of mouse embryonic, newborn, and adult tissues were conducted to evaluate the spectrum of gba mRNA expression. Signals were present in all tissues and cell types. Distinct patterns of differential expression were identified in specific tissues and cell types, and at defined developmental stages. Differential expression was first observed around E14 in the intestinal tract, kidneys, skeletal system, and skin. At E18, moderate intensity signals were in adipocytes of brown fat and pancreatic cells. Differential expression remained in skin, bone, and the GI tract postnatally. In the postnatal and adult animals increasing expression was observed throughout the CNS, esophageal epithelium, intestinal villi, pancreas, and thymus and lymph node capsular cells. These tissue-, cell-, and developmental stage-specific variations of the gba mRNA level indicate major developmentally regulated changes in the expression pattern of gba in the late gestational period and postnatally.