Differential Cellular Expression of Galectin Family mRNAs in the Epithelial Cells of the Mouse Digestive Tract

Galectin is an animal lectin that recognizes β-galactosides of glycoconjugates and is abundant in the gut. This study revealed the cellular expression of galectin subtypes throughout the mouse digestive tract by in situ hybridization. Signals for five subtypes (galectin-2, -3, -4/6, and -7) were det...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry 2005-11, Vol.53 (11), p.1323-1334
Main Authors: Nio, Junko, Kon, Yasuhiro, Iwanaga, Toshihiko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Digestive System - cytology
Digestive System - metabolism
Digestive System - ultrastructure
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Galectins - biosynthesis
Galectins - genetics
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
Male
Mice
Oligonucleotide Probes
Organ Specificity
RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis
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Summary:Galectin is an animal lectin that recognizes β-galactosides of glycoconjugates and is abundant in the gut. This study revealed the cellular expression of galectin subtypes throughout the mouse digestive tract by in situ hybridization. Signals for five subtypes (galectin-2, -3, -4/6, and -7) were detected exclusively in the epithelia. In the glandular stomach, galectin-2 and -4/6 were predominantly expressed from gastric pits to neck of gastric glands, where mucous cells were the main cellular sources. The small intestine exhibited intense, maturation-associated expressions of galectin-2, -3, and -4/6 mRNAs. Galectin-2 was intensely expressed from crypts to the base of villi, whereas transcripts of galectin-3 gathered at villous tips. Signals for galectin-4/6 were most intense at the lower half of villi. Galectin-2 was also expressed in goblet cells of the small intestine but not in those of the large intestine. In the large intestine, galectin-4/6 predominated, and the upper half of crypts simultaneously contained transcripts of galectin-3. Stratified epithelium from the lip to forestomach and anus intensely expressed galectin-7 with weak expressions of galectin-3. Because galectins in the digestive tract may be multi-functional, information on their cell/stage-specific expression contributes to a better understanding of the functions and pathological involvements of galectins.
ISSN:0022-1554
1551-5044
DOI:10.1369/jhc.5A6685.2005