Ghrelin gene expression is age-dependent and influenced by gender and the level of circulating IGF-I

Ghrelin activates GH release and is implicated in growth and metabolic regulation. The regulation of its biosynthesis has not been well studied. The current investigation was designed to examine some of the factors that may influence ghrelin gene expression in the stomach. Thus, in C57BL/6 mice, ghr...

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Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2002-03, Vol.189 (1), p.97-103
Main Authors: Liu, Ye Lauren, Yakar, Shoshana, Otero-Corchon, Veronica, Low, Malcolm J., Liu, Jun-Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Age-dependence
Animals
Cyclophilins - genetics
Cyclophilins - metabolism
Female
Gender
Gene Expression Regulation
Ghrelin
Ghrelin mRNA
Growth Hormone - genetics
Growth Hormone - metabolism
IGF-I
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - genetics
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism
Liver - metabolism
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Peptide Hormones - genetics
Peptide Hormones - metabolism
Pregnancy
Sex Characteristics
Stomach - physiology
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Summary:Ghrelin activates GH release and is implicated in growth and metabolic regulation. The regulation of its biosynthesis has not been well studied. The current investigation was designed to examine some of the factors that may influence ghrelin gene expression in the stomach. Thus, in C57BL/6 mice, ghrelin mRNA was detectable by Northern blots throughout the age groups studied, but the levels changed markedly over time. Levels were low at E18.5 and increased rapidly after birth to 6-fold at P14 before peaking to 8-fold at P21. The levels then exhibited a gradual decline at P60 (75% of the peak level) and at 6 months (67%) and a drastic decrease as the animals aged to 19 months (only 5%). Furthermore, sexual dimorphic gene expression, the effect of liver-derived IGF-I deficiency, as well as ghrelin secretion were studied. Our results support a role of ghrelin in growth/metabolism in juvenile and young adult mice of both sexes and in sexually dimorphic regulation of GH secretion in aged mice.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/S0303-7207(01)00742-0