Decorin developmental expression and function in the early avian embryo.

Decorin, a proteoglycan, interacts with extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors and receptors. Decorin expression and spatio-temporal distribution were studied by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, while decorin function was examined by blocking antibodies in the early chick embryo. Decorin was first detectable at stage XIII (late blastula).