Chordin (CHRD)

Chordin is a polypeptide that dorsalizes the developing embryo by binding ventralizing TGFβ proteins such as bone morphogenetic proteins. It may also play a role in organogenesis. There are five named isoforms of this protein that are produced by alternative splicing.In humans, the chordin peptide is encoded by the CHRD gene.948-amino acid protein containing 4 internal cysteine-rich repeats and 4 potential N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis detected high levels of a 3.7-kb Chrd transcript in 7-day postcoitum mouse embryos; its level decreased at later developmental stages and in adult tissues. Dot blot analysis of mRNA expression in human adult and fetal tissues showed that CHRD is expressed at the highest level in liver.