EXPRESSION OF TRPM-2 DURING INVOLUTION AND REGENERATION OF THE RAT-LIVER

Increased message levels of testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) have been associated with programmed cell death in many tissu es. To study its involvement in the apoptotic elimination of hepatocyt es during liver involution and regeneration, levels of TRPM-2 message were evaluated in situ and by the ribonuclease protection assay. Altho ugh significant increases in apoptotic bodies were observed in rats 96 h following treatment with lead nitrate and ethylene dibromide, an in crease in TRPM-2 message was not detected. Therefore, the expression o f TRPM-2 mRNA may be a poor indicator of the extent to which apoptosis occurs during liver involution.