Identification of xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase as a rat Paneth cell zinc-binding protein

Paneth cells are zinc-containing cells localized in small intestinal crypts, but their function has not been fully elucidated. Previously, we showed that an intravenous injection of diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone), a zinc chelator, induced selective killing of Paneth cells, and purified a zinc-binding protein in Paneth cells. In the present study, we further characterized one of these proteins, named zinc-binding protein of Paneth cells (ZBPP)-1. Partial amino acid sequences of ZBPP-1 showed identity with rat xanthine dehydrogenase (XD)/xanthine oxidase (XO). Anti-rat XD antibody (Ab) recognized ZBPP-1, and conversely anti ZBPP-1 Ab recognized 85 kDa fragment of rat XD in Western blotting. Messenger RNA and protein levels of XD were consistent with our previous data on the fluctuation of Paneth cell population after dithizone injection. Thus, ZBPP-1 is an 85 kDa fragment of XD/XO in Paneth cells. XD/XO in Paneth cells may play important roles in intestinal function.