Restriction of lactase gene expression along the proximal-to-distal axis of rat small intestine occurs during postnatal development

Background/Alms: Developmental changes of lactase activity along the proximal-to-distal axis of the small intestine are poorly understood. A study to delineate lactase gene expression at the cellular level was undertaken. Methods: The topographical regulation of lactase was studied in conjunction with sucrase-isomaltase in proximal, middle, and distal segments of 0-,7-, 14-, 16-, 18-, 21-, and 28-day-old and adult rats using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and ribonuclease protection assays. Results: From 0 to 16 days, lactase messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were abundant along the total length of the small intestine. However, at weaning, lactase mRNA and protein were no longer detectable in the terminal ileum. After 28 days, zones of reduced lactase expression were found in the duodenum and terminal ileum. These zones demonstrated expression of lactase protein in scattered enterocytes along the villus (patchy expression). In contrast, sucrase-isomaltase was first detected at 16 days, with patchy expression along the total small intestine; at 21 days it was abundant. Conclusions: Concordant changes in both lactase mRNA and protein detection during development suggest that the horizontal gradient of lactase enzyme expression is dependent on lactase mRNA abundance. Furthermore, zones of patchy lactase expression appear around weaning and flank the area of high lactase expression in the midintestine. Patchy expression is also found for sucraseisomaltase before weaning.