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Developmental expression of proprotein convertase 1/3 in the rat
Y C Lee1, A B Damholt, N Billestrup
1Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark. ycl@hagedorn.dk
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|December 2, 1999
Summary
Researchers identified a novel prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) mRNA transcript in rats. This enzyme is primarily expressed in the pancreas and intestine during development, suggesting a role in tissue growth and differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Endocrinology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) is crucial for processing peptide hormones.
- Understanding PC1/3 expression patterns is vital for studying endocrine function and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel PC1/3 mRNA transcripts in rats.
- To investigate the developmental expression profile of PC1/3 in various rat tissues.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of a PC1/3 clone from a rat islet cDNA library.
- Northern blot analysis and immunocytochemistry to detect PC1/3 presence and localization.
- RT-PCR and probe analysis to identify mRNA transcripts and their expression levels.
Main Results:
- A novel 8.5 kb PC1/3 mRNA transcript was identified, in addition to known 5.0 and 3.0 kb transcripts.
- PC1/3 expression was abundant in adult rat brain, lung, and spleen, but not detectable in kidney, testis, or heart.
- Developmental expression showed a steady increase in fetal pancreas and intestine, high constant levels in fetal lung, and low constant levels in fetal liver.
- PC1/3 was co-localized with insulin in the developing pancreas and also found in glucagon-producing cells at mid-gestation.
Conclusions:
- A novel PC1/3 mRNA transcript has been identified in the rat.
- Developmental expression of PC1/3 is predominantly in the pancreas and intestine.
- PC1/3 may play a significant role in the growth and differentiation of pancreatic and intestinal tissues.