Esophageal basement membranes (arrows) are thick and disorganized in collagen mutant mice (right).

No collagen XIX is hard to swallow, at least for mice lacking this extremely rare matrix protein. On page 591, Sumiyoshi et al. reveal that loss of collagen XIX disrupts muscle function in the murine esophagus.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, but there are at least 27 different types, some more common than others. Although collagen XIX is scarce, the authors find it is necessary for survival into adulthood.

Mice that made no collagen XIX died within a few days after birth. These mice had an enlarged esophagus and signs of malnutrition. The distended esophagus was a result of impaired muscle function in the lower esophagus that prevented the relaxation needed for swallowing. The same muscle problem was seen in mice that made a less flexible mutant...

The Rockefeller University Press
2004
The Rockefeller University Press
2004
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