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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2006; 12(16): 2574-2578
Published online Apr 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i16.2574
Progastrin-releasing peptide and gastrin-releasing peptide receptor mRNA expression in non-tumor tissues of the human gastrointestinal tract
Hans-Jürg Monstein, Niclas Grahn, Mikael Truedsson, Bodil Ohlsson
Hans-Jürg Monstein, Niclas Grahn, Molecular Biology Laboratory-LMC, University Hospital, Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
Mikael Truedsson, Bodil Ohlsson, Department of Clinical Sciences, University Hospital Malmö, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Molecular Biology Program (Grant No. 21407), Laboratory Medicine Center-LMC, University Hospital Linköping, Sweden, and the Development Foundation of Region Skåne, Sweden
Correspondence to: Dr. Hans-Jürg Monstein, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. hanmo@ibk.liu.se
Received: November 25, 2005
Revised: January 9, 2006
Accepted: January 14, 2006
Published online: April 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expression of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and GRP-receptor mRNA in non-tumor tissues of the human esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and gallbladder using molecular biology techniques.

METHODS: Poly A+ mRNA was isolated from total RNA extracts using an automated nucleic acid extractor and, subsequently, converted into single-stranded cDNA (ss-cDNA). PCR amplifications were carried out using gene-specific GRP and GRP-receptor primers. The specificity of the PCR amplicons was further confirmed by Southern blot analyses using gene-specific GRP and GRP-receptor hybridization probes.

RESULTS: Expression of GRP and GRP-receptor mRNA was detected at various levels in nearly all segments of the non-tumor specimens analysed, except the gallbladder. In most of the biopsy specimens, co-expression of both GRP and GRP-receptor mRNA appeared to take place. However, expression of GRP mRNA was more prominent than was GRP-receptor mRNA.

CONCLUSION: GRP and GRP-receptor mRNAs are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and provides information for the future mapping and determination of its physiological importance in normal and tumor cells.

Keywords: Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP); Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR); mRNA expression; Morphogenesis; Gastrointestinal tract