ENHANCED GALACTOSYLTRANSFERASE EXPRESSION IN THE FAILING HEARTS OF SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

To examine differences in cardiac gene expression between spontaneousl y hypertensive rats with and without heart failure, we have used subtr active hybridization to identify differentially expressed genes. After subtraction, cDNAs were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. One o f 36 independent cDNAs was found to be 86% homologous to murine UDP-ga lactose:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase RNA blot an alysis confirmed the similar to 4.0 kb rat galactosyltransferase trans cript was increased in failing hearts relative to non-failing hearts. Biochemical assay also showed increased galactosyltransferase activity in the failing hearts. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.