Enterocytin: A new specific enterocyte marker bearing a B30.2-like domain.

Enterocyte differentiation is correlated to the expression of specific proteins which only a few of them are identified. In this study, we characterize a new marker of enterocyte differentiation using monoclonal antibodies. We showed that small intestinal enterocytes specifically express a new 47 kDa protein named Enterocytin. Expression of this protein increase along the crypt-villus axis and it is concentrated in the terminal web, lateral plasma membrane domain, and nucleus membrane of mature enterocytes. A 1.8-kb cDNA of Enterocytin was isolated by expression cloning from a cDNA library of rabbit small intestine. The amino acid sequence obtained shows an N-terminal region with a coiled-coil structure and a B30.2-like domain in the C-terminus region. By co-transfection and immunoprecipitation procedures on Cos cells, it was observed that the coiled-coil domain is involved in the homodimerization of Enterocytin. In the human intestine, a similar 47 kDa protein was detected, exclusively in the small intestinal enterocytes. In addition, expression of this protein in Caco2 cells is correlated with the state of differentiation of these cells. The restricted expression of Enterocytin in the intestine and its localization in mature cells suggest that it may contribute to the differentiation processes and maintenance of the enterocytic polarity. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.