DUODENAL EXPRESSION OF NF-E2 IN MOUSE MODELS OF ALTERED IRON-METABOLISM

This study investigated the relationship between duodenal mucosal mRNA levels of the transcription factor, NF-E2, H-ferritin (a putative NF- E2 regulated gene) and iron absorption in mice. CDl-strain mice with n ormal and altered iron metabolism (hypoxic, iron-deficient, iron-loade d) and animals with genetic defects of iron metabolism (hypotransferri naemia, beta-thalassaemia) were studied. Tissue RNA from these mouse m odels was subjected to reverse transcription and PCR amplification for NF-E2 and a stable ribosomal protein (S14) and the products analysed with an automated laser fluorescent sequencer. Duodenal NF-E2 mRNA lev els were generally low and decreased in the hypoxic and iron-deficient groups, both of which exhibited elevated iron absorption as compared to controls. A modest increase in the NF-E2 mRNA level was seen in the iron-loaded mice, whose iron absorption was decreased. In contrast, b oth the genetic strains showed elevated NF-E2 mRNA levels in conjuncti on with raised iron absorption values. Only the iron-deficient group e xhibited an alteration in the duodenal mucosal H/L ferritin ratio. Hen ce, no relationship was evident between the NF-E2 mRNA levels and the H/L ferritin ratio. These data indicate that NF-E2 is not the primary regulator of intestinal iron absorption.