Differential gene expression in the small intestines of wildtype and W/W(V) mice

Much of the evidence demonstrating the role of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in pacemaking and neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract comes from studies of W/W(V) mice. These animals have few pacemaker ICC in the small bowel due to reduced functional Kit protein. We examined gene expression in the small intestines of wildtype and W/W(V) mice. RNA expression in the jejunums of wildtype and W/W(V) mutants was studied using a differential gene expression

Seven known genes were differentially expressed in wildtype and W/W(V) mice. COX7B (cytochrome c oxidase, subunit VIIb) and SORCIN (encoding multidrug-resistance complex, class 4) were suppressed in both fed and fasted W/W(V) mice. Expression of another five genes was increased in W/W(V) mice: ADA (adenosine deaminase), MDH1 (malate dehydrogenase), RPL-8 (ribosomal protein L8), SPTB2 (spectrin, nonerythroid, beta subunit), and p6-5 (encoding phosphorylcholine [PC] T-cell suppressor factor [TsF]). Differential expression was the same in fasted and fed animals, suggesting that the differences were independent of the dietetic state. We conclude that several genes are differentially expressed in the small intestines of W/W(V) mice where the major lesion is loss of pacemaker ICC. Differential gene display may help develop a molecular profile of motility disorders in which ICC are lost.