Background and Aims: Although the zinc finger transcription factor GATA4 has been implicated in regulating jejunal gene expression, the contribution of GATA4 in controlling jejunal physiology has not been addressed. Methods: We generated mice in which the Gata4 gene was specifically deleted in the small intestinal epithelium. Measurements of plasma cholesterol and phospholipids, intestinal absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol, and gene expression were performed on these animals. Results: Mice lacking GATA4 in the intestine displayed a dramatic block in their ability to absorb cholesterol and dietary fat. Comparison of the global gene expression profiles of control jejunum, control ileum, and GATA4 null jejunum by gene array analysis demonstrated that GATA4 null jejunum lost expression of 53% of the jejunal-specific gene set and gained expression of 47% of the set of genes unique to the ileum. These alterations in gene expression included a decrease in mRNAs encoding lipid and cholesterol transporters as well as an increase in mRNAs encoding proteins involved in bile acid absorption. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that GATA4 is essential for jejunal function including fat and cholesterol absorption and confirm that GATA4 plays a pivotal role in determining jejunal versus ileal identity.
GATA4 is essential for jejunal function in mice.
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View SamplesBiased GPCR agonists are orthosteric ligands that possess pathway-selective efficacy, activating or inhibiting only a subset of the signaling repertoire of their cognate receptors. In vitro, D-Trp12,Tyr34-bPTH(7-34) (PTH-{beta}arr), a biased agonist for the type 1 parathyroid hormone receptor, antagonizes receptor-G protein coupling but activates arrestin-dependent signaling. In vivo, both PTH-{beta}arr and the conventional agonist PTH(1-34) stimulate anabolic bone formation. To understand how two PTH1R ligands with markedly different in vitro efficacy could elicit similar in vivo responses, we analyzed transcriptional profiles from calvarial bone of mice treated for 8 weeks with vehicle, PTH-{beta}arr or PTH(1-34). Treatment of wild type mice with PTH-{beta}arr primarily affected pathways that promote expansion of the osteoblast pool, notably cell cycle regulation, cell survival and migration. These responses were absent in beta-arrestin2 null mice, identifying them as downstream targets of beta-arrestin2-mediated signaling. In contrast, PTH(1-34) primarily affected pathways classically associated with enhanced bone formation, including collagen synthesis and matrix mineralization. PTH(1-34) actions were less dependent on beta-arrestin2, as might be expected of a ligand capable of G protein activation. These results illustrate the uniqueness of biased agonism in vivo and demonstrate that functional selectivity can be exploited to change the quality of GPCR efficacy.
β-arrestin-selective G protein-coupled receptor agonists engender unique biological efficacy in vivo.
Specimen part, Treatment
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