Developmental changes in the regional Na+/glucose transporter mRNA along the small intestine of suckling rats

We investigated the postnatal development of Na+-dependent glucose transpor ter (SGLT1) as a change in the level of the gene expression of the transpor ter during the suckling period in rats. We measured the changes in the expr ession of SGLT1 mRNA in various regions of the intestine during the develop ment of rat pups, using a Northern blot analysis. We found a pronounced gra dient in SGLT1 mRNA, with a high level in the duodenum declining gradually, but significantly, to a relatively low level near the ileocecal junction. The level of SGLTI mRNA in the jejunum region increased in proportion to po stnatal age. SGLT1 mRNA was not found at the colon. These data indicate tha t the glucose uptake in the small intestine of rat pups changes according t o regional and age-related transporter activity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.