Spatial and temporal expression of Zimp7 and Zimp10 PIAS-like proteins in the developing mouse embryo

ZIMP7 and ZIMP10 are two novel human PIAS-like proteins that share a similarity beyond the SP-RING Zn-finger domain that characterizes the PIAS family. This extended similarity is conserved in proteins of several other species and define an independent subfamily. ZIMP10 has been shown to increase the sumoylation of the androgen receptor (AR) leading to a stimulation of AR-mediated transcription. The Drosophila tonalli (tna) is the ortholog gene of ZIMP7 and ZIMP10 and presents genetic interactions with the SWI–SNF complex. Mutations in the tna gene produce flies with homeotic phenotypes. In this study, we determined the spatial–temporal expression pattern of Zimp7 and Zimp10 in mouse embryos from embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), to mid-gestation. We found that these two genes are extensively expressed during these embryonic days and present partially overlapping patterns with a predomination of the transcripts in the neural tissues at early stages and a drop of expression at E12.5. Unlike other PIAS proteins, the tonalli-related Zimp genes might be essential for development. Comparison of conserved motifs in Zimp7 and Zimp10 protein sequences identified characteristic family domains that might be related to their specific biological roles, besides their common role previously identified in the sumoylation pathway.