Meeting Abstract

P3.146  Sunday, Jan. 6  Rapid upregulation of the python’s small intestine RANDAZZO, A.B.*; GAMBLE, G.B.; SECOR, S.M.; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa abrandazzo@crimson.ua.edu

The Burmese python (Python molurus) experiences an unprecedented upregulation of intestinal structure and function after feeding. Within days the small intestine has doubled in mass, microvilli have lengthened by 5-fold, and intestinal nutrient uptake and hydrolase activities have increased 5 to 10-fold. These responses are then reversed after digestion has completed. Previously we found that by 6 hours after feeding, the small intestine had already begun to respond with the doubling of microvillus length and slight increases in intestinal enzyme activity and nutrient uptake. A recent transcriptomic study of the python small intestine revealed that at 6 hours postfeeding more than 2000 genes had increased (> 2-fold) their expression. The aim of this study was to characterized changes in intestinal morphology and function of the python’s small intestine prior to 6 hours after feeding. Segments of anterior small intestine were removed serially from pythons at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after feeding. From samples we measured enterocyte size, microvillus length, and the activity of the hydrolase aminopeptidase. Across these time points there were significant increases in enterocyte volume, microvillus length, and aminopeptidase activity with increases evident 2 to 4 hours postfeeding. The eventual goal of this project is to determine the extent that the initial postprandial responses of the python small intestine is provided by posttranscriptional mechanisms or stems purely from a genomic response.