Matt Noseworthy - Nov. 16, 2012

Dipeptide transport in the neonatal Yucatan miniature piglet

PepT1 (SLC15A1) is an intestinal transmembrane protein responsible for the transport of di/tripeptides. PepT1 is not only capable of transporting any combination of amino acids, but also certain classes of peptidomemetic drugs. During times of intestinal duress, PepT1 is maintained whereas free amino acid transporters can be down-regulated. This underscores the importance of understanding how peptide transport is modulated during development and under conditions of intestinal stress such as intestinal resection or inflammation. My research programme has utilized the Yucatan miniature piglet as a model organism because the intestine of the neonatal piglet is similar to the human infant both in development and activity. My overall research has focused on three areas, 1) the effect of development and intestinal position on peptide uptake, 2) the potential ameliorative effects of bioactive dipeptides on a surgically shortened gut and, 3) the impact of PepT1 mediated transport of a bacterial peptide on intestinal inflammation.