Document Detail


Expression and localization of inhibin alpha, inhibin/activin betaA and betaB and the activin type II and inhibin beta-glycan receptors in the developing human testis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12052232     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Inhibins and activins have roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in a variety of tissues. This study investigated the distribution of the three inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, betaA and betaB) and their receptors in the human testis between week 13 and week 19 of gestation using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. mRNA for all three subunits and for the activin type II receptors ActRIIA and ActRIIB was detected at all stages of gestation examined. Sertoli cells showed intense immunostaining for the alpha subunit and some staining for the betaB subunit, whereas only the betaB subunit was detected in gonocytes. No betaA subunit staining was detected within the tubules. All three subunits were localized to interstitial Leydig cells. Cells of the rete testis and the epididymal epithelium also showed immunostaining for betaB; however, staining for the other subunits was weak or absent. Peritubular cells showed intense immunostaining for the beta-glycan inhibin receptor, which was also localized to interstitial cells, but was not detected within the tubular compartment, rete testis or epididymal epithelium. ActRIIA was detected in gonocytes and in interstitial cells; ActRIIB was distributed widely. These data indicate that fetal Leydig and Sertoli cells have the potential to produce both activins and inhibins, whereas gonocytes may produce only activin B. The distribution of activin and inhibin receptors implies that the intratubular compartment and developing duct system are sites of action of activin B but not inhibin at this stage of development, whereas both activins and inhibins may be involved in the development and function of the peritubular and interstitial cells.
Authors:
R A Anderson; N Cambray; P S Hartley; A S McNeilly
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Reproduction (Cambridge, England)     Volume:  123     ISSN:  1470-1626     ISO Abbreviation:  Reproduction     Publication Date:  2002 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-06-07     Completed Date:  2002-07-19     Revised Date:  2009-11-19    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100966036     Medline TA:  Reproduction     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  779-88     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9ET, UK. r.a.anderson@hrsu.mrc.ac.uk
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Actins / analysis,  genetics,  metabolism*
Activin Receptors / analysis,  genetics,  metabolism*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry / methods
Inhibin-beta Subunits / analysis,  genetics,  metabolism*
Male
Proteoglycans / metabolism
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Testis / embryology*,  metabolism
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Actins; 0/Proteoglycans; 0/Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; 145170-29-2/betaglycan; 93443-12-0/Inhibin-beta Subunits; EC 2.7.11.30/Activin Receptors

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Impact of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on pituitary gonadotrophin gene expression and ovarian...
Next Document:  Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the oocyte and somatic cells of bovine preantral follicle...