Effect of α-Tocopherol Status on α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein Expression and Its Messenger RNA Level in Rat Liver

Abstract

Studies were designed to explore the role of vitamin E nutritional status in regulating the synthesis of α-tocopherol transfer protein (αTTP) in rat liver. In vitamin E-replete rats, expression of this protein and its specific messenger RNA (mRNA) was decreased by about 300% compared with rats with normal vitamin E levels. In vitamin E-depleted rats, the αTTP-specific mRNA level increased to about 150% of that in the normal vitamin E group. However, protein expression remained constant. These findings indicate that the synthesis of αTTP can be regulated by the vitamin E nutritional status.

Key Words:

• Vitamin E
• α-tocopherol transfer protein
• messenger RNA
• gene expression
• effect of nutritional status