Cross-Species Comparison of Genes Related to Nutrient Sensing Mechanisms Expressed along the Intestine

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal chemosensory receptors and transporters are detect food-derived molecules and are involved in the modulation of gut release. Gut hormones play an important role in the regulation of food the control of gastrointestinal functioning. This mechanism is often as "nutrient sensing". Knowledge of the distribution of chemosensors intestinal tract is important to gain insight in nutrient detection and both pivotal processes for the regulation of food intake. However, most is derived from rodents, whereas studies in man and pig are limited, and cross-species comparisons are lacking. AIM: To characterize and compare intestinal expression patterns of genes related to nutrient sensing in and humans. METHODS: Mucosal biopsy samples taken at six locations in intestine (n = 40) were analyzed by qPCR. Intestinal scrapings from 14 in pigs (n = 6) and from 10 locations in mice (n = 4) were analyzed by microarray, respectively. The gene expression of glucagon, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, taste receptor T1R3, cotransporter, peptide transporter-1, GPR120, taste receptor T1R1, GPR93 was investigated. Partial least squares (PLS) modeling was used to the intestinal expression pattern between the three species. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The studied genes were found to display specific expression along the intestinal tract. PLS analysis showed a high similarity pig and mouse in the expression of genes related to nutrient sensing in distal ileum, and between human and pig in the colon. The gene was most deviating between the species in the proximal intestine. Our give new insights in interspecies similarities and provide new leads for translational research and models aiming to modulate food intake man