Fig. 10.

Identification of Gdf5 gene mutation in Gdf5^bp-4j mice. (A) RT-PCR shows normal denervation-dependent induction of Gdf5 mRNA in the Gdf5^bp-4j mouse soleus muscle. (B) Diagram of Gdf5 protein sequence and DNA sequence of the Gdf5 carboxy-terminal region cDNA prepared from denervated Wt and Gdf5^bp-4j muscle. A four nucleotide deletion is identified that alters the Gdf5 reading frame (C) in Gdf5^bp-4j mice (amino acids in red). Mutations known to cause brachypodism in this region of the Gdf5 protein are indicated with arrows above the protein sequence. Cysteines that contribute to intrachain disulfide bonds are indicated with asterisks above the protein sequence.