title: Expression of extracellular glutathione peroxidase in human and mouse gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Extracellular glutathione peroxidase (EGPx) is a glycosylated selenoprotein capable of reducing hydrogen peroxide, organic hydroperoxides, free fatty acid hydroperoxides, and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides. We found that human large intestinal explant cultures synthesize EGPx and cellular glutathione peroxidase (CGPx) and secrete EGPx. The level of EGPx mRNA expression relative to alpha-tubulin was similar throughout the mouse gastrointestinal tract. EGPx mRNA transcripts have been localized to mature absorptive epithelial cells in human and mouse large intestine. Western blot analysis of mouse intestinal protein has demonstrated the presence of EGPx protein in the small intestine, cecum, and large intestine, with the highest protein levels found in the cecum. Immunohistochemistry studies of human large intestine and mouse small and large intestine sections demonstrated the presence of EGPx protein within mature absorptive epithelial cells. In human large intestine and mouse small intestine, EGPx protein is also present in the extracellular milieu. These results suggest a role for EGPx in protection of the intestinal tract from peroxidative damage and/or in intercellular metabolism of peroxides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Whitin
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000201:enzymology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase