Altered CD38 expression in thioacetamide-induced rat model of liver cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND
Cirrhosis is a gradually developing, chronic disease which involves the whole liver. Here, we have shown that CD38 undergoes altered expression upon thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis in rats. CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that exhibits ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities. In this study, the gene and protein expressions of CD38 were investigated in a thioacetamide-induced rat model of cirrhosis.


METHODS
CD38 expression was studied by using real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting. cADPR content in liver was measured using cycling assay.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in CD38 mRNA and protein expressions as well as ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity in cirrhotic liver compared to the control liver. cADPR level was found to be modestly but significantly augmented in cirrhotic liver.


CONCLUSIONS
These results raised the possibility that altered CD38 expression and a concomitant elevation of the enzymatic activity as well as cADPR may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis.
Gan
Bong Hwa
BH
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8, Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Ng
Geok Lan
GL
Bay
Boon Huat
BH
Chang
Chan Fong
CF
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D036563:Cyclic ADP-Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013853:Thioacetamide
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013853:Thioacetamide; D036563:Cyclic ADP-Ribose; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1