Mptx1, likely a mucosal pentraxin-related gene, may be involved in immune response pathways as it was identified as an immune-related target gene of novel_973 miRNA in sheep immunized with Brucella suis strain 2 vaccine, suggesting its potential role in host defense mechanisms [1].

Dietary heme and calcium can significantly affect Mptx expression in rats. Mptx was the most strongly differentially expressed gene in rat colon, being approximately 10-fold down-regulated by dietary heme and 3-fold up-regulated by calcium. This indicates its possible relation to colonic cell turnover and mucosal integrity [2,3].

In conclusion, Mptx1 appears to have functions in both immune response and colonic mucosal regulation. Its regulation by dietary components like heme and calcium and its role as a miRNA target in the immune context suggest its importance in maintaining physiological balance and host defense. Further in-vivo studies, perhaps including gene knockout models, could potentially provide more insights into its exact functions and implications in related diseases.

References:

1. Chen, Si, Wang, Chengqiang, Chen, Qiaoling, Du, Li, Wang, Fengyang. 2022. Downregulation of Three Novel miRNAs in the Lymph Nodes of Sheep Immunized With the Brucella suis Strain 2 Vaccine. In Frontiers in veterinary science, 9, 813170. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.813170. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35274021/

2. van der Meer-van Kraaij, C, Kramer, E, Jonker-Termont, D, van der Meer, R, Keijer, J. 2004. Differential gene expression in rat colon by dietary heme and calcium. In Carcinogenesis, 26, 73-9. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539406/

3. Van Der Meer-Van Kraaij, Cindy, Van Lieshout, Esther M M, Kramer, Evelien, Van Der Meer, Roelof, Keijer, Jaap. . Mucosal pentraxin (Mptx), a novel rat gene 10-fold down-regulated in colon by dietary heme. In FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 17, 1277-85. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12832292/