title: Regenerating gene protein may mediate gastric mucosal proliferation induced by hypergastrinemia in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regenerating gene (Reg) has been isolated from rat regenerating pancreatic islets, and Reg protein is mitogenic to islet cells. We have recently shown that Reg gene and Reg protein are expressed in gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. This study aimed to clarify whether gastrin enhances Reg protein production in ECL cells and whether Reg protein is mitogenic to gastric mucosal cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reg gene expression in response to acute and chronic hypergastrinemia was investigated in rats. Immunohistochemical studies, Northern blotting, and in situ hybridization were performed to investigate the expression of Reg protein and Reg gene. The direct effect of gastrin on Reg gene expression was investigated using isolated ECL cells, and the trophic effect of Reg protein on cultured gastric epithelial cells was assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both chronic hypergastrinemia and short-term gastrin administration stimulated Reg gene expression and Reg protein production in fundic mucosa. Reg gene expression was also augmented in isolated ECL cells after incubation with rat gastrin. Reg protein was mitogenic to cultured rat gastric epithelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastrin stimulates the production of Reg protein in gastric ECL cells, which may be involved in the gastrin-induced gastric mucosal cell growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019861:Enterochromaffin-like Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; C109755:AG-041R; D005755:Gastrins; D007211:Indoles; D064747:Lansoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole