title: Vasopressin receptor mRNA expression in the human gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vasopressin and oxytocin are closely related peptides, and both exert effects on the gastrointestinal function. In the present study, we wanted to map the expression of vasopressin receptor mRNAs (V1a, V1b/V3, and V2) in nontumorous tissue biopsy specimens of human gastrointestinal tract and surrounding tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total and polyA+ RNAs were isolated from human tissue biopsy specimens using an automated nucleic acid extractor and, subsequently, converted into single-stranded cDNA. Semi-nested PCR amplifications were carried out, using gene-specific V1a, V1b/V3, and V2 receptor primers. The PCR amplicons were partially sequenced to confirm their identity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study demonstrated the expression of vasopressin receptor mRNAs in human gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, kidney, lung, brain, and ovary. The expression pattern varied between different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In the colon ascendens, V1a receptor mRNA expression could not be detected in 3 out of 4 analyzed tissue biopsy specimens. On the other hand, all the vasopressin receptor mRNAs were expressed in all colon transversum biopsy samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  V1a, V1b/V3, and V2 receptor mRNAs are widely expressed throughout human gastrointestinal tract and surrounding tissues. The data obtained provide information for further mapping and determination of the physiological role of the vasopressin receptor mRNA expression in normal and tumorous tissues.
authors: Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Biology Laboratory-LMC, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. hanmo@ibk.liu.se
authors: H-J
authors: HJ
authors: Monstein
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Truedsson
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ryberg
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Ohlsson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin