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Developmental changes in galactosyltransferase activity in the rat small intestine
C K Ozaki1, S H Chu, W A Walker
1Combined Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 31, 1989
Summary
During postnatal development, rat intestinal galactosyltransferase activities increase significantly. Cortisone and PMA treatments can precociously induce these enzymes, suggesting developmental regulation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- UDP-Gal: GlcNAc(beta 1-4)-galactosyltransferase (4 beta-GT) and UDP-Gal:GalNAc(beta 1-3)-galactosyltransferase (3 beta-GT) are key enzymes in glycoconjugate synthesis.
- These enzymes play crucial roles in intestinal development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental regulation of 4 beta-GT and 3 beta-GT activities in the rat small intestine.
- To examine the effects of cortisone and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) on these enzyme activities.
Main Methods:
- Assay of 4 beta-GT and 3 beta-GT enzyme activities in rat small intestine during postnatal development.
- Administration of cortisone and PMA to suckling rats to assess their impact on enzyme induction.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in 4 beta-GT (17-fold) and 3 beta-GT (24-fold) activities were observed during postnatal development.
- Cortisone injection led to precocious induction of distal 4 beta-GT (2.7-fold) and 3 beta-GT (1.8-fold) activities.
- PMA injection resulted in precocious induction of distal 3 beta-GT (2.7-fold) activity.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal galactosyltransferase activities are subject to developmental regulation in rats.
- Cortisone and PMA can modify these enzyme activities, indicating potential signaling pathways involved in intestinal development.