Developmental Regulation of Nutrient Transporter and Enzyme mRNA Abundance in the Small Intestine of Broilers

• Published in: Poultry science 2007-08, Vol.86 (8), p.1739-1753
• Main Authors: Gilbert, E.R, Li, H, Emmerson, D.A, Webb, K.E. Jr, Wong, E.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Amino Acid Transport Systems - genetics; Amino Acid Transport Systems - metabolism; amino acids; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; animal proteins; Animals; broiler chickens; Chickens - genetics; Chickens - growth & development; chicks; Diet - veterinary; digestive enzymes; embryogenesis; food animals; gene expression regulation; Gene Expression Regulation - genetics; intestinal absorption; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestines - enzymology; Intestines - growth & development; Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics; Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism; messenger RNA; Monosaccharide Transport Proteins - genetics; Monosaccharide Transport Proteins - metabolism; nutrient transport; nutrient uptake; peptides; polymerase chain reaction; quantitative analysis; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; small intestine; spatial variation; temporal variation
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.1093/ps/86.8.1739

The objective of this study was to investigate intestinal nutrient transporter and enzyme mRNA in broilers selected on corn- and soybean-based (line A) or wheat-based (line B) diets. We investigated the peptide transporter PepT1, 10 amino acid transporters (rBAT, b(o,+)AT, ATB(o,+), CAT1, CAT2, LAT1, y(+)LAT1, y(+)LAT2, B(o)AT, and EAAT3), 4 sugar transporters (SGLT1, SGLT5, GLUT5, and GLUT2), and a digestive enzyme (aminopeptidase N). Intestine was collected at embryo d 18 and 20, day of hatch, and d 1, 3, 7, and 14 posthatch. The mRNA abundance of each gene was assayed using real-time PCR and the absolute quantification method. For PepT1, line B had greater quantities of mRNA compared with line A (P = 0.001), suggesting a greater capacity for absorption of amino acids as peptides. Levels of PepT1 mRNA were greatest in the duodenum (P < 0.05), whereas the abundances of SGLT1, GLUT5, and GLUT2 mRNA were greatest in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Abundances of EAAT3, b(o,+)AT, rBAT, B(o)AT, LAT1, CAT2, SGLT5, and aminopeptidase N mRNA were greatest in the ileum (P < 0.05). Quantities of PepT1, EAAT3, B(o)AT, SGLT1, GLUT5, and GLUT2 mRNA increased linearly (P < 0.01), whereas CAT1, CAT2, y(+)LAT1, and LAT1 mRNA decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with age. Abundance of y(+)LAT2 mRNA changed cubically (P = 0.002) with peaks of expression at day of hatch and d 7, and aminopeptidase N and SGLT5 mRNA changed quadratically (P = 0.005) with age. These results provide a comprehensive profile of the temporal and spatial expression of nutrient transporter mRNA in the small intestine of chicks.