The Expression Patterns of Connexin Isoforms in the Rat Caput Epididymis During Postnatal Development
2
조회
0
다운로드
7
인용
0
참고문헌
키워드
초록
Intercellular interactions are important for the proper development and regulation of tissue function. This is especially necessary in the epididymis, a part of male reproductive tract where sperm become mature and acquire their fertilizing capacity. The caput region of the epididymis consists of several types of cells, including principal, basal, and apical cells. Direct intercellular communication is thus required to precisely regulate the functions of the caput epididymis. In this regard, connexin (Cx) is a molecule that forms channels, which allow the direct exchange of small molecules between cells, enabling intercellular communication. In this study, the expression of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages was determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nine of 13 Cx isoforms were detected. The transcript levels of Cx30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 40 were highest at 45 days of age, while the expression of Cx43 and 45 gradually decreased with age. A substantial fluctuation of Cx26 expression was detected, with significant decreases before and during puberty, followed by a transient increase at adult-hood and rapid decreases at an old age. A significant increase in Cx37 transcript was observed at 25days of age, followed by gradual decreases at adult and old ages. These results indicate the significant differential expression of various Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis during postnatal development. It further suggests that the functional regulation and developmental maturation of the caput epididymis are highly related to the postnatal age-related differential expression of Cx isoforms.
Abstract
Intercellular interactions are important for the proper development and regulation of tissue function. This is especially necessary in the epididymis, a part of male reproductive tract where sperm become mature and acquire their fertilizing capacity. The caput region of the epididymis consists of several types of cells, including principal, basal, and apical cells. Direct intercellular communication is thus required to precisely regulate the functions of the caput epididymis. In this regard, connexin (Cx) is a molecule that forms channels, which allow the direct exchange of small molecules between cells, enabling intercellular communication. In this study, the expression of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages was determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nine of 13 Cx isoforms were detected. The transcript levels of Cx30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 40 were highest at 45 days of age, while the expression of Cx43 and 45 gradually decreased with age. A substantial fluctuation of Cx26 expression was detected, with significant decreases before and during puberty, followed by a transient increase at adult-hood and rapid decreases at an old age. A significant increase in Cx37 transcript was observed at 25days of age, followed by gradual decreases at adult and old ages. These results indicate the significant differential expression of various Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis during postnatal development. It further suggests that the functional regulation and developmental maturation of the caput epididymis are highly related to the postnatal age-related differential expression of Cx isoforms.
참고문헌 (21)
- Arrotéia, K. F., "The epididymis: embryology, structure, function and its role in fertilization and infertility. In: Embryology-Updates and Highlights on Classic Topics", pp.41~66 (2012), In Tech. Croatia
- Bosco, D., "Connexins: key mediators of endocrine function", Physiol. Rev, 91, pp.1393~1445 (2011)
- Brown-Grant, K., "Altered sexual development in male rats after oestrogen administration during the neonatal period", J. Reprod. Fertil, 44, pp.25~42 (1975)
- Cornwall, G. A., "New insights into epididymal biology and function", Hum. Reprod. Update, 15, pp.213~227 (2009)
- Cyr, D. G., "Immunocytochemical localization and regulation of connexin43 in the adult rat epididymis", Endocrinology, 137, pp.1474~1484 (1996)
- Dubé, E., "Epidermal growth factor regulates connexin 43 in the human epididymis: role of gap junctions in azoospermia", Hum. Reprod, 27, pp.2285~2296 (2012)
- Dufresne, J., "Expression of multiple connexins in the rat epididymis indicates a complex regulation of gap junctional communication", Am. J. Physiol. Cell. Physiol, 284, pp.33~43 (2003)
- Goodenough, D. A, "Gap junctions", Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol, 1, pp.a003061~ (2009)
- Guo, W., "Identification and characterization of ERp29 in rat spermatozoa during epididymal transit", Reproduction, 133, pp.575~584 (2007)
- Hannema, S. E, "Regulation of Wolffian duct development", Hormone Res, 67, pp.142~151 (2007)
- Hejmej, A., "Expression of connexin 43 protein in testes, epididymides and prostates of stallions", Equine Vet. J, 39, pp.122~127 (2007)
- Hermo, L., "Region- and cell-specific differences in the distribution of carbonic anhydrases II, III, XII, and XIV in the adult rat epididymis", J. Histochem. Cytochem, 53, pp.699~713 (2005)
- Hinton, B. T., "How do you get six meters of epididymis inside a human scrotum?", J. Androl, 32, pp.558~564 (2011)
- Lasserre, A., "Human epididymal proteins and sperm function during fertilization: an update", Biol. Res, 34, pp.165~178 (2001)
- Lydka, M., "Morphological and functional alterations in adult boar epididymis: effects of prenatal and postnatal administration of flutamide", Acta Vet. Scand, 53, pp.12~ (2011)[DOI]
- Robaire, B., "Efferent ducts, epididymis and vas deferens: structure, functions and their regulation. In: The Physiology of Reproduction", pp.999~1080 (1988), Raven Press
- Robaire, B., "The coming of age of the epididymis. In: Testis, Epididymis and Technologies in the Year 2000", pp.229~262 (2000), Springer
- Robaire, B., "The epididymis. In: Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction", pp.1071~1148 (2006), Elsevier
- St-Pierre, N., "Neonatal hypothyroidism alters the localization of gap junctional protein connexin 43 in the testis and messenger RNA levels in the epididymis of the rat", Biol. Reprod, 68, pp.1232~1240 (2003)
- Sullivan, R., "Male fertility markers, myth or reality", Ani. Reprod. Sci, (82-83), pp.341~347 (2004)
- Sun, E. L., "Development of cell types and of regional differentiation in the postnatal rat epididymis", Am. J. Anat, 154, pp.27~55 (1979)