1. S. S. Laurentino, S. Correia, J. E. Cavaco, P. F. Oliveira, L. Rato, M. Sousa, A. Barros and S. Socorro (2011) Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and a new androgen target gene in mammalian testis.
Reproduction (): .
Abstract
Regucalcin (RGN) is a calcium (Ca2+)-binding protein which regulates intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis by modulating the activity of enzymes regulating Ca2+ concentration and enhancing Ca2+-pumping activity. Several studies have described the pivotal role of proper Ca2+ homeostasis regulation to
spermatogenesis and male fertility. Recently RGN was identified as a sex steroid regulated gene in prostate and breast however, a possible role of RGN in spermatogenesis has not been examined. In the present study the expression and localization of RGN in rat and human testis, and other rat reproductive tissues was analysed. Moreover, we studied whether RGN protein was present in seminiferous tubule fluid. Finally, we examined the effect of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone on the expression of Rgn mRNA in rat seminiferous tubules cultured ex vivo. The results presented herein show that RGN is expressed in Leydig and Sertoli cells, as well as in all types of germ cells of both rat and human testis. Regucalcin is also expressed in rat prostate, epididymis, and seminal vesicles. Moreover RGN protein is present in rat seminiferous tubule fluid. The results also demonstrate that RGN expression is age dependent in rat testis, and is up-regulated by the non-aromatizable androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in rat seminiferous tubules cultured ex vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate that RGN is a novel androgen-target gene in rat testis and that it may have a role in male reproductive function, particularly in the control of spermatogenesis.
PMID: [21680783]