Immunohistological evidence, obtained with monoclonal antibodies, of small intestinal brush border hydrolases in human colon cancers and foetal colons

Isolation of a cDNA probe for a human jejunal brush-border hydrolase, sucrase-isomaltase, and assignment of the gene locus to chromosome 3

We report the nucleotide sequence and derived amino acid sequence of a cDNA clone encoding most of the N-terminal, isomaltase region of human sucrase-isomaltase (SI). A plasmid containing this cDNA, pS12, identifies a 6-kb mRNA found in human jejunum and the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2. This human SI cDNA shows extensive overall homology with recently published rabbit SI cDNA. Using pS12 to probe DNA from a panel of somatic cell hybrids, we have assigned the gene encoding human SI to chromosome 3.

Inhibition of the post-translational processing of microvillar hydrolases is associated with a specific decreased expression of sucrase-isomaltase and an increased turnover of glucose in Caco-2 cells treated with monensin

The biosynthesis and post-translational processing of sucrase-isomaltase and dipeptidylpeptidase IV were studied by L-[35S]methionine labeling, immunoisolation with monoclonal antibodies and SDS-PAGE in post-confluent Caco-2 cells treated with monensin (10 microM, 48 h). In addition to its classical effect on the post-translational processing of both hydrolases, i.e. an inhibition of the conversion of the high-mannose to the complex glycosylated form of the enzymes, monensin was found to have two other effects: a marked decrease of sucrase-isomaltase expression, but not of dipeptidylpeptidase IV; an increased turnover of glucose, as substantiated by increased rates of glucose consumption and lactic acid production and a decreased glycogen content. Whether these two effects are related to the particular differentiation and metabolic status of Caco-2 cells is discussed, as well as a possible role for the drug-induced modifications of glucose turnover on the decreased expression of sucrase-isomaltase.

Longitudinal distribution of brush border hydrolases and morphological maturation in the intestine of the preterm infant

The morphological maturation and the distribution of brush border hydrolase activities were studied in the small intestine and the colon in newborn babies of 28-38 weeks gestational age. Lactase and sucrase activities were higher at term with maximal activity in the proximal intestine. In contrast, aminopeptidase and glucoamylase exhibited maximum activity in the distal part of the small bowel. Glucoamylase activity was already significant in the small intestine and in the colon of the preterm newborn. Sucrase activity present in the proximal colon of the preterm dropped to a negligible amount at term, whereas aminopeptidase activity increased, reaching values found in the small intestine. The enzymic changes occurring in the intestinal tract were related to the morphological maturation of the mucosa from fetal to adult type during late gestation. Accelerated morphological and functional maturation was observed in one preterm infant nourished intravenously for 12 days, these processes being independent of the presence of nutrients in the intestine. At term, the distal part of the intestine seems to have increased digestive capacities for peptides and polysaccharides. We present evidence that full-term, and to a lesser extent preterm infants are able to hydrolyse glucose polymers.