Preferential Expression of Reg Iβ Gene in Human Adult Pancreas

Abstract In human pancreas two genes, reg Iα and reg Iβ, have been characterized but only the reg Iα protein has been isolated from human pancreatic secretion. To examine their respective physiological roles in fetal and adult pancreas we have compared the patterns of gene expression using a specific RT-PCR method. No progressive evolution in the two mRNAs levels was observed during fetal development (16–41 weeks). A discoordinate expression of the two genes was found with a higher level of reg Iα mRNA in fetus and a higher level of regIβ in adult. In addition, if reg Iα mRNA level was correlated with the expression of genes encoding exocrine proteins in adults, reg Iβ mRNA level presented no correlation with any ductular, endocrine, or exocrine gene expression. In human pancreatic cell lines we showed the only expression of reg Iβ gene and protein. All these data suggest that the two reg genes and proteins could play different roles in the pancreas.