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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 78/1/91    most recent biolreprod.107.064196v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pin, C. L Articles by Everest, M. E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pin, C. L Articles by Everest, M. E Agricola Articles by Pin, C. L Articles by Everest, M. E

Identification of a Transcription Factor, BHLHB8, Involved in Mouse Seminal Vesicle Epithelium Differentiation and Function¹

Departments of Paediatrics,³ Physiology and Pharmacology,⁴ and Biology,⁵ The University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada N6C 2V5

ABSTRACT

The seminal vesicle is a male accessory sex organ that develops from segments of the Wolffian duct adjacent to the urogenital sinus. It produces most of the seminal plasma in both humans and rodents. To date, very few transcription factors have been linked to the development and differentiation of seminal vesicles. In this study, we have examined the role of basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) B8 transcription factor expressed at high levels in the adult seminal vesicle and during seminal gland differentiation. Immunofluorescent studies indicate that BHLHB8 is expressed within the epithelial layer of the seminal layer of the seminal vesicle following branching morphogenesis but prior to full maturation of cell morphology and function. Analysis of mice that do not express BHLHB8 (Bhlhb8^–/–) indicates no deficiency in the initial development of the seminal vesicle. However, morphological and ultrastructural analysis indicates disruption of the epithelial cellular architecture. The seminal vesicle epithelial layer of 2-mo-old Bhlhb8^–/– mice shows extensive cellular degeneration based on the appearance of reduced microvilli, altered granule size, and dilated endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The seminal vesicle epithelial cells also degenerate prematurely, as evidenced by disruption of nuclear architecture and significant accumulations of autophagic bodies. These results identify BHLHB8 as a regulator in establishing and stabilizing the secreting epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle.

autophagy, developmental biology, gene regulation, knock-out, male reproductive tract, Mist1, mouse, seminal vesicles, transcription

¹Supported by operating grant MOP 53083 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. C.P. is supported by a salary award from the CIHR.

Correspondence: ²Christopher Pin, Dept. of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, Children's Health Research Institute, 5th Floor, Victoria Research Laboratories, London, ON, Canada N6C 2V5. FAX: 519 685 8186; e-mail: cpin{at}uwo.ca