Mechanisms of regulatory peptide action in the gastrointestinal tract: Trefoil peptides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

The trefoil peptide family is comprised of three small peptides (designated pS2, SP, and ITF) exhibiting a unique motif of three intrachain loops formed by disulfide bonds. These highly protease- resistant peptides are secreted onto the mucosal surface by goblet cells or their equivalents. Most importantly, these factors protect epithelium from injury and promote repair through restitution after injury has occurred. Targeted deletion of the gene encoding ITF results in exquisite sensitivity to colonic injury by standard agents (e.g., dextran sodium sulfate) due to an inability to repair the epithelium. Studies have led to insight into the intracellular responses to trefoil peptides, including rasdependent MAP kinase activation and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor. Among other effects, activation of these pathways is associated with redistribution of E-cadherin from the cell surface to intracellular domains, where it is complexed with catenins, and phosphorylation of akt, inactivating this kinase associated with apoptosis. In addition, trefoil peptides appear to block both p53 dependent and p53 independent apoptosis through pathways associated with activation of EGFR and PI3 kinase. These observations suggest that trefoil peptides elicit a corrdinated cellular response enabling cell migration without triggering the programmed cell death response usually precipitated by cell detachment from a stationary anchored state.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)69-74
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Gastroenterology
Volume35
Issue numberSUPPL. 12
StatePublished - Mar 2000

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Growth factors
  • Healing
  • Trefoil peptides
  • Ulceration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mechanisms of regulatory peptide action in the gastrointestinal tract: Trefoil peptides'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this