Matrix Gla Protein Gene Expression is Elevated During Postnatal Development

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vitamin K-dependent extracellular matrix protein with a wide tissue distribution. Developmental expression of the MGP gene is characterized by competitive RT-PCR in kidney and calvaria. High levels of MGP mRNA were observed in kidneys and calvaria from 19-day-old embryos to 1-month-old rats. There was a peak in MGP mRNA at 7 days in both tissues. MGP mRNA expression was very low or undetectable in 3-, 5- and 7- month-old kidneys. Similar observations were seen in lung, heart and spleen. However, in connective tissues like calvaria, tibia and trachea, low levels of MGP mRNA are maintained throughout life. Kidney MGP protein was present from birth to 15 days, with the highest MGP protein level at 7 days. Calvarial MGP protein was present throughout development and maturation but peaked at 7 days. The highest MGP protein levels were coincident with peak levels of MGP mRNA. Thus, MGP protein level correlated with mRNA level during rat development. In situ hybridization revealed that MGP staining was most intense in the straight tubules of the developing kidney medulla at 7 days. Staining was absent in stromal cells and in mature nephrons. Taken together, our finding of high MGP mRNA and its intense in situ staining during the postnatal growth phase prove that increased MGP synthesis occurs at a specific time and place during development and maturation.