Ascorbic Acid and Development

Finally, Sotiriou et al. (2002) describe the phenotype of a mouse mutant in which the gene coding for SVCT2 has been invahdated. Mutant animals, homozygotes, as well as heterozygotes present a normal AA concentration in blood, but the molecule is unable to enter cells. Embryos died in a perinatal period with anomalies of lung and vessels. 

These different observations clearly ask the question of AA as a signaling molecule in development and differentiation of mammalians. These will be fascinating new topics that will probably develop in the near future. 

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THIS GUINEA PIG HAD NO ASCORBIC ACID AND DEVELOPED SCURVY. NOTE CROUCHED POSITION DUE TO SORE JOINTS. 

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