J Biol Chem, Vol. 274, Issue 16, 10737-10742, April 16, 1999
mRNAs Encoding a von Ebner's-like Protein and the
Huntington Disease Protein Are Induced in Rat Male Germ Cells by
Sertoli Cells
Viqar
Syed,
Edith
Gomez, and
Norman B.
Hecht
From the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health
and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
The success of spermatogenesis is dependent upon
closely coordinated interactions between Sertoli cells and germ cells.
To identify specific molecules that mediate interactions between somatic cells and germ cells in the rat testis, Sertoli cell-germ cell
co-cultures and mRNA differential display were used. Two cDNAs,
clone 1 (660 nucleotides) and clone 2 (390 nucleotides) were
up-regulated when Sertoli cells were co-cultured with pachytene spermatocytes or round spermatids. Northern blot analyses confirmed the
differential display expression patterns. Sequence analyses indicated
that clone 1 was similar to a von Ebner's gland protein (87% at the
nucleotide level and 80% at the amino acid level) and clone 2 was
identical to a region of the Huntington disease protein. The von
Ebner's-like protein mRNA was induced after 4 h of
co-culture, while the Huntington disease protein required 18 h of
co-culture for expression. The von Ebner's-like protein was induced in
germ cells by a secreted Sertoli cell factor(s) smaller than 10 kDa
that is sensitive to freezing and thawing or boiling. The Huntington
disease protein was induced in germ cells by a Sertoli cell secreted
factor(s) larger than 10 kDa which survives freezing and thawing, but
is inactivated by boiling.
Copyright © 1999 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.