mRNA expression of MDR1 and major metabolising enzymes in human fetal tissues

Metabolising enzymes and transport proteins are largely expressed in human tissues. They have major impact on drug disposition and effects. We studied mRNA expression of phase I and II metabolising enzymes and transporters in fetal tissues at different development stages. Hepatic, duodenal, renal and neurological fetal tissues were studied at 15, 27 and 42 weeks gestation and mRNA expression of 84 enzymes and transporters was analysed by with the RT(2) Profiler PCR array system. There was wide variability in gene expression between different samples. Independently from age, the highest expression levels were observed in the liver and the lowest in the brain for the majority of genes tested. There was significant increase in gene expression with age in duodenal and hepatic tissues.