Differential protein abundance of a basolateral MCT1 transporter in the human gastrointestinal tract

Hashemeya Al-mosauwi, Elizabeth Ryan, Alison McGrane, Stefanie Riveros-Beltran, Caragh Walpole, Eugene Dempsey, Danielle Courtney, Naomi Fearon, Desmond Winter, Alan Baird, Gavin Stewart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Bacterially derived short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, are vital in maintaining the symbiotic relationship that exists between humans and their gastrointestinal microbial populations. A key step in this process is the transport of SCFAs across colonic epithelial cells via MCT1 transporters. This study investigated MCT1 protein abundance in various human intestinal tissues. Initial RT-PCR analysis confirmed the expected MCT1 RNA expression pattern of colon > small intestine > stomach. Using surgical resection samples, immunoblot analysis detected higher abundance of a 45 kDa MCT1 protein in colonic tissue compared to ileum tissue (P < 0.001, N = 4, unpaired t-test). Importantly, MCT1 abundance was found to be significantly lower in sigmoid colon compared to ascending colon (P < 0.01, N = 8–11, ANOVA). Finally, immunolocalization studies confirmed MCT1 to be abundant in the basolateral membranes of surface epithelial cells of the ascending, transverse, and descending colon, but significantly less prevalent in the sigmoid colon (P < 0.05, N = 5–21, ANOVA). In conclusion, these data confirm that basolateral MCT1 protein abundance is correlated to levels of bacterially derived SCFAs along the human gastrointestinal tract. These findings highlight the importance of precise tissue location in studies comparing colonic MCT1 abundance between normal and diseased states.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1303-1312
Number of pages10
JournalCell Biology International
Volume40
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • colon
  • immunolocalization
  • MCT1
  • protein abundance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differential protein abundance of a basolateral MCT1 transporter in the human gastrointestinal tract'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this