Structure and liver cell expression pattern of the HFE gene in the rat

• Published in: Journal of hepatology Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 308 - 314
• Main Authors: Holmström, Petra, Dzikaite, Vijole, Hultcrantz, Rolf, Melefors, Öjar, Eckes, Kristina, Stål, Per, Kinnman, Nils, Smedsrød, Bård, Gåfvels, Mats, Eggertsen, Gösta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.09.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cloning, Molecular; Exons; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gene Expression; Gene structure; Hemochromatosis Protein; Hepatocytes; HFE; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; Introns; Iron metabolism; Liver; Liver - cytology; Liver - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Tissue Distribution; β 2M, β 2-microglobulin; DIG, digoxigenin; Iron metabolism; HH, hereditary hemochromatosis; Rat; HFE; Liver; Gene structure; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase PCR; EC, endothelial cells; TfR, transferrin receptor; Gene expression; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; Hepatocytes; nt, nucleotides; HSC, hepatic stellate cells; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; KC, Kupffer cells; Tf, transferrin; AP, alkaline phosphatase; Cell structure; Rodentia; Iron; Structure gene; Metabolism; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Hepatocyte; Animal; Gastroenterology; Cell
• ISSN: 0168-8278; 1600-0641
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8278(03)00293-9

Background/Aims: 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.