Identification of elf1, a β-spectrin, in early mouse liver development

β-spectrins play essential roles in cell-cell interactions and in the maintenance of cell polarity. Our aim was to identify β-spectrin genes important for the establishment of hepatocyte polarity and differentiation. Using subtractive screening of cDNA libraries from early embryonic mouse livers (post-coital days 10, 11, and 12), we have isolated elf1 (embryonic liver fodrin 1), a differentially expressed β-spectrin or fodrin (β SpIIΣI). Elf1 encodes a 220-amino acid protein with an NH₂ terminal actin- binding domain. In situ hybridization studies demonstrate elf1 expression initially in day 10 embryonic heart tissue, then in day 11-11.5 hepatic tissue. These studies suggest that elf1 may play a role in the emergence of hepatocyte polarity during liver development.