Lessons from genetically engineered animal models. I. Physiological studies with gastrin in transgenic mice

The role of gastrin in the regulation of gastrointestinal growth and acid secretion has been addressed through recent studies involving transgenic and knockout mice. The role of gastrin as a key modulator of parietal cell function and gastric acid secretion has been confirmed through studies in mice deficient in either gastrin or the gastrin/CCK-B receptor. However, although gastrin-deficient mice show no changes in gastric proliferation, they do show reduced colonic proliferation, and rates of colonic proliferation are increased in transgenic mice overexpressing glycine-extended gastrin or progastrin. This themes article highlights recent progress in our understanding of the biology of gastrin through studies in genetically modified mice.