| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Much controversy exists regarding the presence of the
cadherin/catenin complex and its intracellular attachment
site in the testis, which is the functional unit for
actin-based cell-cell adherens junctions (AJs) in multiple
epithelia. Furthermore, it is not known if germ and
Sertoli cells are equipped with the necessary
AJ-associated signaling molecules to regulate this
cadherin/catenin complex during spermatogenesis. In this
report, it was shown that both Sertoli and germ cells
indeed express N-cadherin, E-cadherin, 
-catenin,
ß-catenin, and p120ctn by
semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Furthermore,
the assembly of AJs between Sertoli and germ cells was
associated with a transient induction in the steady-state
mRNA and protein levels of cadherins and catenins. These
analyses reveal for the first time that the testis may
indeed be using the cadherin/catenin complex as one of the
functional units to regulate AJ dynamics between Sertoli
and germ cells besides
6ß1 integrin and the
nectin/afadin complex. To further confirm the existence
of such a complex between Sertoli and germ cells,
immunoprecipitation experiments were performed using
Sertoli-germ cell lysates during AJ assembly. An
anti-N-cadherin antibody can pull out ß-catenin,
while N-cadherin can also be pulled out using an
anti-ß-catenin antibody. To further expand and
validate these in vitro biochemical studies,
immunofluorescent histochemistry was performed, which
co-localized N-cadherin and ß-catenin to the same
site of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell AJs,
possibly ectoplasmic specializations near the basal
compartment, at the lower third of the seminiferous
epithelium in vivo as well as between Sertoli cells
cultured in vitro. Furthermore, studies by cross-linking
using DSP [dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate)] confirmed
that the cadherin/catenin complex between Sertoli cells as
well as between Sertoli and germ cells indeed structurally
linked to actin, but not to vimentin (an intermediate
filament protein) or to tubulin (a microtubule protein).
These results thus unequivocally demonstrate that the
cadherin/catenin complex, which can be up-regulated by
testosterone, is indeed present between Sertoli and germ
cells and is used for the assembly of functional AJs.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. Chen, H. Cai, J.-L. Yang, C.-L. Lu, T. Liu, W. Yang, J. Guo, X.-Q. Hu, C.-H. Fan, Z.-Y. Hu, et al. Effect of Heat Stress on Expression of Junction-Associated Molecules and Upstream Factors Androgen Receptor and Wilms' Tumor 1 in Monkey Sertoli Cells Endocrinology, October 1, 2008; 149(10): 4871 - 4882. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Mruk, B. Silvestrini, and C. Y. Cheng Anchoring Junctions As Drug Targets: Role in Contraceptive Development Pharmacol. Rev., June 1, 2008; 60(2): 146 - 180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Mruk, A. S. N. Lau, O. Sarkar, and W. Xia Rab4A GTPase Catenin Interactions Are Involved in Cell Junction Dynamics in the Testis J Androl, September 1, 2007; 28(5): 742 - 754. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Aivatiadou, E. Mattei, M. Ceriani, L. Tilia, and G. Berruti Impaired Fertility and Spermiogenetic Disorders with Loss of Cell Adhesion in Male Mice Expressing an Interfering Rap1 Mutant Mol. Biol. Cell, April 1, 2007; 18(4): 1530 - 1542. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Xia, D. D. Mruk, and C. Y. Cheng C-type natriuretic peptide regulates blood-testis barrier dynamics in adult rat testes PNAS, March 6, 2007; 104(10): 3841 - 3846. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Xia, D. D Mruk, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng Unraveling the molecular targets pertinent to junction restructuring events during spermatogenesis using the Adjudin-induced germ cell depletion model J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2007; 192(3): 563 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Hyenne, J. C Harf, M. Latz, B. Maro, U. Wolfrum, and M.-C. Simmler Vezatin, a ubiquitous protein of adherens cell-cell junctions, is exclusively expressed in germ cells in mouse testis Reproduction, March 1, 2007; 133(3): 563 - 574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P Y Lee, D. D Mruk, W. Xia, and C Y. Cheng Cellular localization of sphingomyelin synthase 2 in the seminiferous epithelium of adult rat testes J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2007; 192(1): 17 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Tokuda, Y. Kadokawa, H. Kurahashi, and T. Marunouchi CDH1 Is a Specific Marker for Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in Mouse Testes Biol Reprod, January 1, 2007; 76(1): 130 - 141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. P Y Lie, W. Xia, C. Q F Wang, D. D Mruk, H. H N Yan, C.-h. Wong, W. M Lee, and C Y. Cheng Dynamin II interacts with the cadherin- and occludin-based protein complexes at the blood-testis barrier in adult rat testes J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2006; 191(3): 571 - 586. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. H. N. Yan and C. Y. Cheng Laminin {alpha} 3 Forms a Complex with beta3 and {gamma}3 Chains That Serves as the Ligand for {alpha} 6beta1-Integrin at the Apical Ectoplasmic Specialization in Adult Rat Testes J. Biol. Chem., June 23, 2006; 281(25): 17286 - 17303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P Sluka, L O'Donnell, J R Bartles, and P G Stanton FSH regulates the formation of adherens junctions and ectoplasmic specialisations between rat Sertoli cells in vitro and in vivo. J. Endocrinol., May 1, 2006; 189(2): 381 - 395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P.Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, C.-h. Wong, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics in the Testis Via the Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS)/cGMP/Protein Kinase G (PRKG)/{beta}-Catenin (CATNB) Signaling Pathway: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study Biol Reprod, September 1, 2005; 73(3): 458 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. H. N. Yan and C. Y. Cheng Blood-testis barrier dynamics are regulated by an engagement/disengagement mechanism between tight and adherens junctions via peripheral adaptors PNAS, August 16, 2005; 102(33): 11722 - 11727. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. A. Beall, K. Boekelheide, and K. J. Johnson Hybrid GPCR/Cadherin (Celsr) Proteins in Rat Testis Are Expressed With Cell Type Specificity and Exhibit Differential Sertoli Cell-Germ Cell Adhesion Activity J Androl, July 1, 2005; 26(4): 529 - 538. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. K. Y. Siu, C.-h. Wong, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Sertoli-Germ Cell Anchoring Junction Dynamics in the Testis Are Regulated by an Interplay of Lipid and Protein Kinases J. Biol. Chem., July 1, 2005; 280(26): 25029 - 25047. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Wolski, C. Perrault, R. Tran-Son-Tay, and D. F. Cameron Strength Measurement of the Sertoli-Spermatid Junctional Complex J Androl, May 1, 2005; 26(3): 354 - 359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Zhang, C.-h. Wong, W. Xia, D. D. Mruk, N. P. Y. Lee, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics via Changes in Protein-Protein Interactions of the N-Cadherin-{beta}-Catenin Protein Complex which Are Possibly Mediated by c-Src and Myotubularin-Related Protein 2: An in Vivo Study Using an Androgen Suppression Model Endocrinology, March 1, 2005; 146(3): 1268 - 1284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. Li, T.-o Ishikawa, H. Miyoshi, M. Oshima, and M. M. Taketo A Targeted Mutation of Nkd1 Impairs Mouse Spermatogenesis J. Biol. Chem., January 28, 2005; 280(4): 2831 - 2839. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. L. De Paul, M. Bonaterra, A. P. Soler, K. A. Knudsen, F. D. Roth, and A. Aoki Soluble P-Cadherin Found in Human Semen J Androl, January 1, 2005; 26(1): 44 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Mruk and C. Y. Cheng Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-Germ Cell Interactions and Their Significance in Germ Cell Movement in the Seminiferous Epithelium during Spermatogenesis Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2004; 25(5): 747 - 806. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P.Y. Lee and C. Y. Cheng Adaptors, Junction Dynamics, and Spermatogenesis Biol Reprod, August 1, 2004; 71(2): 392 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. P.Y. Lee and C. Y. Cheng Ectoplasmic specialization, a testis-specific cell-cell actin-based adherens junction type: is this a potential target for male contraceptive development? Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2004; 10(4): 349 - 369. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. K.Y. Siu and C. Y. Cheng Interactions of Proteases, Protease Inhibitors, and the {beta}1 Integrin/Laminin {gamma}3 Protein Complex in the Regulation of Ectoplasmic Specialization Dynamics in the Rat Testis Biol Reprod, April 1, 2004; 70(4): 945 - 964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P. Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, A. M. Conway, and C. Y. Cheng Zyxin, Axin, and Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Are Adaptors That Link the Cadherin/Catenin Protein Complex to the Cytoskeleton at Adherens Junctions in the Seminiferous Epithelium of the Rat Testis J Androl, March 1, 2004; 25(2): 200 - 215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C.-h. Wong, D. D. Mruk, W.-y. Lui, and C. Y. Cheng Regulation of blood-testis barrier dynamics: an in vivo study J. Cell Sci., February 15, 2004; 117(5): 783 - 798. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Rodemer, T.-P. Thai, B. Brugger, T. Kaercher, H. Werner, K.-A. Nave, F. Wieland, K. Gorgas, and W. W. Just Inactivation of ether lipid biosynthesis causes male infertility, defects in eye development and optic nerve hypoplasia in mice Hum. Mol. Genet., August 1, 2003; 12(15): 1881 - 1895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y.-m. Chen, N. P.Y. Lee, D. D. Mruk, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Fer Kinase/FerT and Adherens Junction Dynamics in the Testis: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study Biol Reprod, August 1, 2003; 69(2): 656 - 672. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. D. Mruk, M. K.Y. Siu, A. M. Conway, N. P.Y. Lee, A. S.N. Lau, and C. Y. Cheng Role of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteases-1 in Junction Dynamics in the Testis J Androl, July 1, 2003; 24(4): 510 - 523. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. P. Y. Lee and C. Yan Cheng Regulation of Sertoli Cell Tight Junction Dynamics in the Rat Testis via the Nitric Oxide Synthase/Soluble Guanylate Cyclase/3',5'-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate/Protein Kinase G Signaling Pathway: an in Vitro Study Endocrinology, July 1, 2003; 144(7): 3114 - 3129. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W.-y. Lui, W. M. Lee, and C. Y. Cheng Sertoli-Germ Cell Adherens Junction Dynamics in the Testis Are Regulated by RhoB GTPase via the ROCK/LIMK Signaling Pathway Biol Reprod, June 1, 2003; 68(6): 2189 - 2206. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. S. N. Lau and D. D. Mruk Rab8B GTPase and Junction Dynamics in the Testis Endocrinology, April 1, 2003; 144(4): 1549 - 1563. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH |
