HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

From Cell Biology to Tissue Engineering

 

Co-localization of the zinc transporter ZnT8 (slc30A8) with ghrelin and motilin in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs

Markus Schweiger, Martin Steffl and Werner M. Amselgruber

Institute of Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

Offprint requests to: Markus Schweiger, Institute of Anatomy and Physioloy of Domestic Animals, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 35, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany. e-mail: markus.schweiger@uni-hohenheim.de


Summary. Zinc is an important co-factor for insulin storage in pancreatic β-cells of different species and the uptake of this ion into insulin containing secretory vesicles is managed by the zinc transporter, ZnT8, a member of the slc30A gene family. Recent studies indicate that this protein is a major autoimmune target in human type 1A diabetes and has also been implicated by genome-wide association studies in type 2 diabetes. Since individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes often develop gastrointestinal motility disorders, we investigated the expression of ZnT8 in the porcine gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose, we studied the cell-type specific expression of ZnT8 in the gut and its co-expression with endocrine hormones that are closely linked to intestinal motility regulation. Nested RT-PCR and immunostaining of sequential serial sections, as well as double-immunostaining using antibodies directed against ZnT8, ghrelin, motilin, neurotensin, serotonin and glucagon-like peptide 1, indicated that ZnT8 is co-localized with ghrelin and motilin. Our findings provide important information about the cell-type specific expression of ZnT8 in the porcine gastrointestinal system. The selective and exclusive expression of ZnT8 in two endocrine cell-types that are engaged in motility functions may be of particular interest for further investigations into type I diabetes-associated gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Histol Histopathol 31, 205-211 (2016)

Key words: ZnT8, Motilin, Ghrelin, Zinc, Pig

DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-663