Structure and liver cell expression pattern of the HFE gene in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
Very little is known about the HFE gene in the rat. The aim of the present study was to determine: (1) the structure of the rat HFE gene; and (2) the tissue expression of the HFE mRNA in the rat, with special emphasis on the liver.


METHODS
Cloning of the rat HFE gene was performed using library screening and PCR. Exon-intron borders were assigned by DNA sequencing. Parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cells were isolated by fractionation of normal rat liver. HFE mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot (tissues) and real-time PCR (isolated liver cells).


RESULTS
The rat HFE gene contained six exons and five introns. The HFE gene is expressed in multiple tissues in the rat, including bone marrow, with the highest expression in the liver. We observed HFE transcripts in several categories of isolated rat liver cells. Unexpectedly, expression also occurred in rat hepatocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The exon-intron pattern of the HFE gene is strongly conserved between rat and mouse. The pattern of tissue expression of the HFE gene is rather similar in humans and rodents. The finding of HFE gene expression in rat hepatocytes raises interesting questions regarding its role in the hepatocyte iron metabolism.
Holmström
Petra
P
Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital C1-74, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
Dzikaite
Vijole
V
Hultcrantz
Rolf
R
Melefors
Ojar
O
Eckes
Kristina
K
Stål
Per
P
Kinnman
Nils
N
Smedsrød
Bård
B
Gåfvels
Mats
M
Eggertsen
Gösta
G
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005091:Exons; D015870:Gene Expression; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D007438:Introns; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution
C484232:HFE protein, rat; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger