Ferroportin is expressed on the mucous granule membrane of a subpopulation of goblet cells in the duodenum of the rat.
Ferroportin is a basolateral transporter involved in the release of iron from cells. In addition to expression on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes, ferroportin is also seen on the microvillus membrane. This led us to consider that ferroportin might be expressed by other cells of the intestine where it contributes to iron metabolism. Ferroportin gene and protein expression in rat duodenum was studied by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry, respectively in rats with different efficiencies of iron absorption. Ferroportin mRNA localised to enterocytes of the villus only. Ferroportin was demonstrated in enterocytes and in 30% of goblet cells. In goblet cells it localised to the mucous granule membrane. In iron-loaded intestine some goblet cells contained iron suggesting that ferroportin may transport iron into the mucous granule where it would be lost during discharge of mucous. The finding of ferroportin in iron deficient goblet cells also suggests an additional role to iron excretion.
Oates
P S
PS
Physiology, School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, the University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009. poates@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Thomas
C
C
D000818:Animals; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002452:Cell Count; D004386:Duodenum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000378:metabolism; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000098742:Ferroportin
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098742:Ferroportin; D007501:Iron