THE TREFOIL PEPTIDES SPASMOLYTIC POLYPEPTIDE AND INTESTINAL TREFOIL FACTOR ARE MAJOR SECRETORY PRODUCTS OF THE RAT GUT

Spasmolytic polypeptide (SP) and intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) are t refoil peptides expressed by gut mucus cells. Using specific antisera we have quantified and characterized the molecular forms and distribut ion of these peptides in the rat gut. SP predominates in the gastric a ntrum as a 12 kDa form. ITF (7 kDa) is highly expressed throughout the small intestine. Both peptides are distributed in the apical secretor y compartment of antral mucus cells (SP) and goblet cells (ITF), and o n the lumenal surface. This study quantifies SP and ITF for the first time, and confirms them as major secretory products of the rat gut.