title: Isolation, characterization, and developmental expression of the rat peptide-YY gene.
abstract: In the present study we describe the isolation, structural characterization, and developmental expression of the gene encoding the intestinal hormone peptide-YY. Examination of the nucleotide sequence of the peptide-YY gene reveals that each of the four exons encodes a functional domain of its mRNA that is analogous to the corresponding exons of the genes encoding two closely related peptides neuropeptide-Y and pancreatic polypeptide. The highly conserved structural organization of the genes encoding this family of three peptides suggests that each gene arose from the duplication of a common ancestral gene. Developmental studies reveal that the peptide-YY gene exhibits a complex pattern of tissue-specific expression in the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike many gastrointestinal hormones, peptide-YY mRNA levels are highest before birth. The pancreas appears to be the major site of peptide-YY gene expression in the fetus, exceeding colonic expression by 7-fold. The abundance of peptide-YY mRNA in the pancreas declines rapidly after birth, in contrast to the colon, where mRNA levels are maintained throughout development into adulthood. Expression of the peptide-YY gene before birth antedates the presence of known enteral secretagogues for this hormone, suggesting alternate mechanisms that control its biosynthesis during development.
authors.affiliation: New England Medical Center Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Krasinski
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Leiter
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003106:Colon / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005934:Glucagon / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010179:Pancreas / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D019894:Peptide YY; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D010455:Peptides; D019894:Peptide YY; D005934:Glucagon