title: Tissue expression of ketohexokinase in cats.
abstract: Ketohexokinase (KHK) metabolizes dietary fructose and is an important regulator of hepatic glucose metabolism. The veterinary literature contains conflicting data regarding the role of KHK in feline fructose metabolism. The study objectives were to determine tissue expression of KHK mRNA and protein in cats, with special emphasis on hepatic expression. KHK mRNA and protein expression were determined using routine RT-PCR and immunoblot techniques. KHK mRNA was detected in feline liver, pancreas, spleen and striated muscle but not in lung. The partial sequence of feline KHK mRNA obtained was highly similar to known KHK mRNA sequences. Immunoblot studies confirmed KHK protein expression in the feline liver. The tissue distribution of KHK mRNA in cats is similar to KHK expression in other species. KHK mRNA and protein expression in feline liver is consistent with previous reports of hepatic fructokinase activity in this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506-5606, Manhattan, USA.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindbloom-Hawley
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schermerhorn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005631:Fructokinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000201:enzymology; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013154:Spleen / Q000201:enzymology; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005632:Fructose; D005631:Fructokinases; C021475:ketohexokinase