The gastrin receptor promotes pancreatic growth in transgenic mice. Pancreas 2002 Mar;24(2):121-9
Date
02/21/2002Pubmed ID
11854616DOI
10.1097/00006676-200203000-00002Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0036183103 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 14 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: We demonstrated previously, in two different rodent models of pancreatic cancer, that the gastrin receptor is present on malignant pancreatic tumors in spite of the fact that the normal adult rat and mouse pancreas does not express gastrin receptors.
AIMS AND METHODOLOGY: To determine whether gastrin receptors mediate pancreatic growth or promote carcinogenesis or both, we created a transgenic mouse that constitutively expresses gastrin receptors in the exocrine pancreas. The transgene construct contained the full-length rat gastrin receptor cDNA sequence under the control of the rat elastase promoter.
RESULTS: Receptor presence and function on exocrine pancreatic tissue of transgenic but not control mice were confirmed by (125)I-gastrin-I binding studies and by gastrin stimulation of intracellular calcium release. Eighteen-month-old transgenic animals had larger pancreas-to-body weight ratios than their nontransgenic littermate controls (p < 0.001 for females; p < 0.01 for males); however, histopathologic examination revealed no neoplasms or other abnormalities.
CONCLUSION: In both female and male transgenic mice, the expression of the gastrin receptor in the exocrine pancreas is associated with a significant increase in pancreas weight, but it does not appear to promote the development of spontaneous pancreatic tumors.
Author List
Yen TW, Sandgren EP, Liggitt HD, Palmiter RD, Zhou W, Hinds TR, Grippo PJ, McDonald JM, Robinson LM, Bell RH JrAuthor
Tina W F Yen MD, MS Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdenocarcinomaAnimals
Calcium
Female
Gastrins
Gene Expression
Iodine Radioisotopes
Male
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Pancreas
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Phenotype
Rats
Receptors, Cholecystokinin
