Epidermal growth factor and the maturation of intestinal sucrase in suckling rats

The regulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the postnatal maturation of sucrase was investigated in the small intestine of suckling and weanling rats. Administration of EGF (0.5 micrograms.g body wt-1.day-1) to suckling rats caused a slight precocious induction of sucrase expression. In weanling rats EGF markedly stimulated sucrase activity; however, at both ages, the effect of hydrocortisone was more potent. When the glucocorticoid antagonist RU-38486 was administered to sucklings, the precocious induction of sucrase activity by hydrocortisone was inhibited by 80%. However, RU-38486 or adrenalectomy did not prevent the inductive effect of EGF, indicating that EGF acts in a glucocorticoid-independent manner. EGF also potentiated the effect of hydrocortisone and dietary sucrose on the precocious induction of sucrase activity in the sucklings. At weaning, administration of an antiserum specific to rat EGF significantly decreased sucrase activity. This study shows the involvement of EGF in the postnatal maturation of intestinal sucrase in the rat.