Objectives: Recently, we cloned a novel mouse gene, CORS26 (collagenous repeat-containing sequence of 26-kDa protein), encoding a putative secretory protein by subtractive hybridization using an in vitro chondrogenesis model. Then, we indicated that CORS26 was expressed in the cartilage primordium of the vertebral body, the Meckel's cartilage, and the prechondrocytes of the developing digits of a mouse embryo by in situ hybridization and that the gene enhanced significantly the proliferation of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in vitro. In this study, in order to confirm the involvement of CORS26 in the craniofacial growth, we investigated gene expressions of CORS26 in the head of the postnatal mouse. Methods: We made sagittal paraffin slides of 7-day-old mouse heads. After we prepared Digoxigenin-labeled antisense and sense riboprobes for CORS26, we examined the gene expressions of CORS26 in the mouse head by in situ hybridization. Results: CORS26 was expressed site-specifically in the proliferating chondrocytes of the nasal septum, the cranial base, and the temporomandibular joint of the postnatal mouse. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that CORS26 is involved in the craniofacial growth by promoting the chondrocyte proliferation. This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan No. 12771277 to K. Yamashita and No. 13771111 to T. Maeda.

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