Lactase mRNA Expression in Small Intestines of Korean Fetuses and Adults

Kim, Jae Jun; Song, In Sung; Kim, Chung Yong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The specific activity of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) is very high at birth and sharply declines after weaning, producing lactose intolerance. The prevalence of lactose intolerance is up to 85% in Korean adults. Molecular basis of the regulatory mechanisms responsible for the decline of LPH specific activity is still unknown. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating the LPH expression during development, LPH specific activity and mI4NA level of Korean fetal and adult intestines were compared.
METHODS
20 fetal small intestines (16-27 weeks) were obtained during therapeutic abortion and were divided into 3 equal length. 20 adult jejunal tissues were obtained from patients without small intestinal disease during laparotomy. Mucosal homogenates were prepared for dissacharidases specific activities measurement and total RNA was extracted for northern and slot hvbridization. LPH mRNA level was measured by laser densitometer.
RESULTS
LPH specific activities of proximal, middle and distal portion of fetal intestines (n=20) were 36.2 +/- 22.5, 38.6 +/- 23.2 and 23.2 +/- 19.9 mu/mg protein, respectively. LPH specific activity of adult jejunum (n=8) was 5.9 +/- 1.8 mu/mg protein and significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of fetal intestines. However, there was no significant difference in sucrase and trehalase specific activities between fetal intestines and adult jejunum. Although LPH specific activity of adult jejunum was lower than those of fetal intestines, LPH mBNA level of adult jejunum was as high as those of fetal intestines.
CONCLUSION
These results show that LPH specific activity and mRNA level do not parallel, indicating the posttranscriptional control of fetal development of LPH expression.