Differential gene expression patterns and colocalization of ATP-gated P2X6/P2X4 ion channels during rat small intestine ontogeny

Publication date: Available online 19 August 2016 Source:Gene Expression Patterns Author(s): Karla Padilla, David Gonzalez-Mendoza, Laura C. Berumen, Jesica E. Escobar, Ricardo Miledi, Guadulupe García-Alcocer Gene coding for ATP-gated receptor ion channels (P2X1–7) has been associated with the developmental process in various tissues; among these ion channel subtypes, P2X6 acts as a physiological regulator of P2X4 receptor functions when the two receptors form heteroreceptors. The P2X4 receptor is involved in pain sensation, the inflammatory process, and body homeostasis by means of Mg(2+) absorption through the intestine. The small intestine is responsible for the absorption and digestion of nutrients; throughout its development, several gene expressions are induced that are related to nutrients received, metabolism, and other intestine functions. Previous work has shown a differential P2X4 and P2X6 protein distribution in the small intestine of newborn and adult rats; however, it is not well-known at what age the change in the relationship between the gene and protein expression occurs and whether or not these receptors are colocalized. In this work, we evaluate P2X4 and P2X6 gene expression patterns by qPCR from embryonic (E18, P0, P7, P17, P30) to adult age in rat gut, as well as P2X6/P2X4 colocalization using qRT-PCR and confocal immunofluorescence in proximal and distal small intestine sections. The results showed that P2X6 and P2X4 gene expression levels of...
Source: Gene Expression Patterns - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research