Sertoli cells are the primary site of prodynorphin gene expression in rat testis: regulation of mRNA and secreted peptide levels by cyclic adenosine 3' ,5'-monophosphate analogs in cultured cells

Regulation of male fertility by the opioid system

Endogenous opioid peptides are substances involved in cell communication. They are present in various organs and tissues of the male and female reproductive tract, suggesting that they may regulate some of the processes involved in reproductive function. In fact, the opioid system that operates as a multi-messenger system can participate in the regulation of reproductive physiology at multiple levels, for example, at the levels of the central nervous system, at the testes level and at sperm level. A better understanding of the implication of the opioid system in reproductive processes may contribute to clarifying the etiology of many cases of infertility and the effect of opiate abuse on fertility. Indeed, a novel biochemical tool for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility could be based upon components of the opioid system. The presence of the opioid system in sperm cells also represents a novel opportunity for reproductive management, for either enhancing the probability of fertilization or reducing it through the development of novel targeted contraceptives.

cAMP-induced apoptosis in granulosa cells is associated with up-regulation of P53 and bax and down-regulation of clusterin

Evidence indicates that cAMP induces apoptosis in granulosa cells of rat and human ovary. The mechanism by which cAMP induces apoptosis is not known. This study was carried out to evaluate changes in expression of cell death promoters, P53 and bax, and cell death repressor, bcl-2, in cAMP-treated granulosa cells. Treatment of granulosa cells with forskolin (FSK), or 8-bromo-cAMP induced apoptosis as evidenced by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation as revealed by gel electrophoresis and fluorescent DAPI staining, respectively. The apoptotic effect of cAMP was accompanied by an increase in the expression of P53 and bax proteins as evaluated by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. No change in bcl-2 protein level was observed in cAMP-treated granulosa cells as compared to control. These data suggest that cAMP may activate apoptosis in granulosa cells by shifting the ratio of the death promoter to death repressor genes via alteration of P53 and bax expression. cAMP was also shown to inhibit gene expression of clusterin, an apoptosis-associated protein, suggesting a role for this protein in cAMP-induced apoptosis in granulosa cells. The data of the present study provide a basis for future studies to elucidate the molecular mechanism of follicular atresia and regulation of apoptotic cell death in ovarian follicles.

Interleukin-6 regulation of kappa opioid receptor gene expression in primary sertoli cells

Three classes of opioid receptors--mu, delta, and kappa--mediate physiological and pharmacological functions of the endogenous opioid peptides and exogenous opioid compounds in the central nervous system (CNS), as well as in peripheral tissues including the immune system. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, we show that freshly isolated and highly purified somatic (Sertoli and Leydig) and specific germ (spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocytes, round, and elongating spermatids) cells of the rat testis differentially express the mRNAs for these opioid receptor genes. Furthermore, to identify a functional mechanism for cytokine regulation of testicular opioid receptor gene expression, we employed primary Sertoli cells as a model system. In a semiquantitative PCR analysis using the S16 ribosomal RNA gene as an internal control, we show that interleukin-6 reduces kappa opioid receptor mRNA levels from 6 to 24 h of treatment in primary Sertoli cells. This regulation requires new RNA and protein synthesis and is partially mediated by the protein kinase A pathway. These findings are consistent with a role for the cytokine and opioid signaling pathways in Sertoli cellular function and the interaction that exists between the opioid and the immune systems in the CNS.

Prodynorphin processing by proprotein convertase 2. Cleavage at single basic residues and enhanced processing in the presence of carboxypeptidase activity

Endoproteolytic processing of the 26-kDa protein precursor prodynorphin (proDyn) at paired and single basic residues is most likely carried out by the proprotein convertases (PCs); however, the role of PCs at single basic residues is unclear. In previous studies we showed that limited proDyn processing by PC1/PC3 at both paired and single basic residues resulted in the formation of 8- and 10-kDa intermediates. Because PC2 is colocalized with proDyn, we examined the potential role of this convertase in cleaving proDyn. PC2 cleaved proDyn to produce dynorphin (Dyn) A 1-17, Dyn B 1-13, and alpha-neo-endorphin, without a previous requirement for PC1/PC3. PC2 also cleaved at single basic residues, resulting in the formation of the C-peptide and Dyn A 1-8. Only PC2, but not furin or PC1/PC3, could cleave the Arg-Pro bond to yield Dyn 1-8. Structure-activity studies with Dyn A 1-17 showed that a P4 Arg residue is important for single basic cleavage by PC2 and that the P1' Pro residue impedes processing. Conversion of Dyn A 1-17 or Dyn B 1-13 into leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk) by PC2 was never observed; however, Dyn AB 1-32 cleavage yielded small amounts of Leu-Enk, suggesting that Leu-Enk can be generated from the proDyn precursor only through a specific pathway. Finally, PC2 cleavages at single and paired basic residues were enhanced when carried out in the presence of carboxypeptidase (CP) E. Enhancement was blocked by GEMSA, a specific inhibitor of CPE activity, and could be duplicated by other carboxypeptidases, including CPD, CPB, or CPM. Our data suggest that carboxypeptidase activity enhances PC2 processing by the elimination of product inhibition caused by basic residue-extended peptides.

The regulation of prodynorphin gene expression in cultured spinal cord cells: involvement of second messengers

The regulation of prodynorphin (proDYN) mRNA levels by cAMP and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways was studied in cultured rat spinal cord cells. Spinal cord cells were cultured from 14 day (E 14) embryos of Sprague-Dawley rats. After 7 days in vitro, the spinal cord cells were incubated with either forskolin (5 microM) or phorbol-13-myristate acetate (PMA; 2.5 microM) for 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, or 24 h and the total RNA was isolated for Northern blot analyses. The proDYN mRNA level began to increase 1 h, then reached and remained at a peak 3-6 h after stimulation by forskolin or PMA. proDYN mRNA levels in forskolin treated cells decreased slightly from their peak after 9 h of treatment, whereas the level of proDYN mRNA returned to the basal level in PMA-treated cells. Pretreatment of cells with cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor; 10 microM) did not affect the forskolin- or PMA-induced increase in proDYN mRNA, but pretreatment with nimodipine (a L-type Ca2+ channel blocker; 2 microM), omega-conotoxin (a N-type Ca2+ channel blocker; 1 microM), or KN-62 (a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor; 5 microM) inhibited induction of proDYN mRNA both by forskolin and PMA. Additionally, dexamethasone did not affect the expression of proDYN mRNA level induced by forskolin. Our results suggest that proDYN mRNA levels in spinal cord cells is regulated by both cAMP and PKC pathways. Calcium influx through both L- and N-type calcium channels and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II appear to be involved in the increase of proDYN mRNA levels induced by either forskolin or PMA. Furthermore, ongoing protein synthesis is not required for forskolin- or PMA-induced responses.

cDNA sequence and expression of bovine prodynorphin

Prodynorphin (ProDYN) in the anterior pituitary gland appears to be processed differently from the brain, and the ProDYN-derived peptides may function differently in the anterior pituitary than in the brain. To further investigate the roles of ProDYN-derived peptides in the anterior pituitary, we have determined the nucleotide (nt) sequence of the cDNA encoding bovine ProDYN. This is the first time a complete cDNA sequence for ProDYN has been reported. The nt and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were compared to the known ProDYN of other species. Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with Southern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of ProDYN in both the anterior and posterior pituitary glands was much lower than that in the neural tissues of the striatum and hypothalamus.

Dynorphin and epilepsy

Studies on dynorphin involvement in epilepsy are summarised in this review. Electrophysiological, biochemical and pharmacological data support the hypothesis that dynorphin is implicated in specific types of seizures. There is clear evidence that this is true for complex partial (limbic) seizures, i.e. those characteristic of temporal lobe epilepsy, because; (1) dynorphin is highly expressed in various parts of the limbic system, and particularly in the granule cells of the hippocampus; (2) dynorphin appears to be released in the hippocampus (and in other brain areas) during complex partial seizures; (3) released dynorphin inhibits excitatory neurotransmission at multiple synapses in the hippocampus via activation of kappa opioid receptors; (4) kappa opioid receptor agonists are highly effective against limbic seizures. Data on generalised tonic-clonic seizures are less straightforward. Dynorphin release appears to occur after ECS seizures and kappa agonists exert a clear anticonvulsant effect in this model. However, more uncertain biochemical data and lack of efficacy of kappa agonists in other generalised tonic-clonic seizure models argue that the involvement of dynorphin in this seizure type may not be paramount. Finally, an involvement of dynorphin in generalised absence seizures appears unlikely on the basis of available data. This may not be surprising, given the presumed origin of absence seizures in alterations of the thalamo-cortical circuit and the low representation of dynorphin in the thalamus. In conclusion, it may be suggested that dynorphin plays a role as an endogenous anticonvulsant in complex partial seizures and in some cases of tonic-clonic seizures, but most likely not in generalised absence. This pattern of effects may coincide with the antiseizure spectrum of selective kappa agonists.

Temporal expression of retinoic acid receptors in hamster fetus during organogenesis and alteration by retinoic acid treatment

Retinoic acid receptors alpha, beta and gamma (RAR alpha, beta, gamma) mRNAs from whole 8- to 15-day-old hamster fetuses were characterized and quantitated by Northern blots and solution hybridization using riboprobes from cloned hamster RAR cDNAs, derived from 12-day fetal hamster library. Two RAR alpha transcripts of approximately 3.1 and approximately 3.5 kb, one transcript of RAR beta approximately 2.8 kb and one transcript of RAR gamma approximately 3.1 kb were observed. The relative abundance levels of these transcripts were RAR gamma > beta > alpha. RAR beta and gamma levels peaked at day 11, increasing approximately 4-fold (beta) and approximately 2.5-fold (gamma) above their initial values at day 8. RAR alpha did not change appreciably and peaked on day 14 at 1.7 x of its lowest level at day 9. Regulation patterns of the three RARs diverged between days 8 and 9 and 13 and 14 postcoitum (p.c.) and coordinately increased between days 9 and 13 and decreased between days 14 and 15 p.c. In 12-day-old conceptuses exposed to all-trans-retinoic acid, RAR alpha did not increase significantly, but RAR beta increased 12-fold at 4 hr and RAR gamma 2-fold at 1 hr after the maternal treatments.

Prodynorphin gene expression relates to NF-kappa B factors

The prodynorphin gene contains several kappa B motifs, suggesting that kappa B-specific DNA-binding factors may regulate its expression. Prodynorphin is known to be expressed in human tumor cell lines [Geiger et al., Regul. Peptides, 34 (1991) 181-188] and we report here that several DNA-binding factors of the NF-kappa B/c-Rel-family are present in the same cells. Three main kappa B-specific factors, presumably a p50 homodimer, NF-kappa B which is a p50/p65 heterodimer and a p65/c-Rel heterodimer were identified using an electromobility shift assay (EMSA), immunoabsorption and UV cross-linking experiments. Minor factors consisting of a novel kappa B-specific protein of about 125 kDa (p125) or being hetero-oligomeric, composed of p125 and either of three other subunits, namely p50, p65 and c-Rel, were also identified. The homo-oligomer of p125 may be identical to the kappa B-specific factor BETA, previously found only in brain [Korner et al., Neuron, 3 (1989) 563-572]. Comparison of prodynorphin mRNA levels with levels of the kappa B-specific DNA-binding factors revealed a negative correlation with the level of p50 homodimer, and a positive correlation with the ratio of the levels of p65/c-Rel to NF-kappa B. No association was found with proenkephalin mRNA levels which were significant in only one cell line. The p50 homodimer, but not p65/c-Rel and NF-kappa B, bound specifically to a DNA-motif within the dynorphin A-encoding gene sequence. This sequence is located in exon 4 and similar to the consensus kappa B-sequence. The dynorphin A-encoding sequence may represent an intragenic target for the p50 homodimer, which when bound to the sequence suppresses transcription.

Cloning of a DNA binding protein that is a tyrosine kinase substrate and recognizes an upstream initiator-like sequence in the promoter of the preprodynorphin gene

A 90 bp fragment prepared from the promoter region of the rat preprodynorphin gene formed a complex with rat brain nuclear extracts as assessed by gel mobility shift assays. An 8 base pair sequence, CACTCTCC, termed upstream regulatory element (URE), was identified within this fragment as a binding site by DNase 1 footprint analysis and gel mobility shift assays with synthetic oligonucleotides. The URE is a consensus sequence for a transcription initiator (Inr) element although in the preprodynorphin promoter it is located upstream at -208 and overlaps a region conserved between rat and human promoters. A unique 310 amino acid protein (UreB1) that specifically bound the URE was cloned from a rat brain cDNA library using the URE-containing oligonucleotide. Recombinantly expressed, affinity purified UreB1 protein retains specific binding to the URE oligonucleotide. UreB1 contains a tyrosine kinase phosphorylation consensus and binding is enhanced following phosphorylation with the p43v-abl tyrosine kinase. The UreB1 tyrosine phosphoprotein increases transcription in vitro, consistent with a positive transcriptional regulatory function. UreB1 transcripts are well expressed in subsets of neurons in multiple brain areas suggesting that, in addition to regulation of the preprodynorphin gene, it may have a more generalized role in gene transcription.

cDNA structure and in situ localization of the Aplysia californica pro-hormone convertase PC2

The complete cDNA structure of the Aplysia californica pro-protein and pro-hormone convertase PC2 (aPC2) was obtained from a cDNA library of the nervous system. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that aPC2 exhibits an 85%, 61% and 62% sequence identity to the Lymnaea stagnalis, Xenopus laevis and mouse PC2 homologues, respectively. The deduced stagnalis, Xenopus laevis and mouse PC2 homologues, respectively. The deduced primary sequence suggested a protein of 653 amino acids which includes a 27- and 88-amino acid signal peptide and pro-segment. The signal peptide and the C-terminal segments are the least conserved regions. On Northern blots of nervous system we detected a transcript of 6.8 kb. The in situ hybridization histochemistry on the abdominal ganglion revealed intense labeling of the bag cells. Large peptidergic cells and clusters of sensory and motor neurons also contained high levels of aPC2 mRNA.

Opioids in neural and nonneural tissues

The endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) are grouped in three families, each deriving from the posttranslational processing of a distinct precursor molecule and exhibiting high affinity for a specific opioid receptor. The genes of EOPs are expressed in a wide variety of sites, including many nerve, neurosecretory, and endocrine cells. In reviewing the vast literature on this subject, a few patterns begin to emerge. First, the distribution of EOPs in tissues appears to be a distinct characteristic of each family of opioids. Second, the EOP producing cells can be grouped into two broad categories: those expressing only one and those expressing multiple EOP genes. Most EOP-producing nerve and neurosecretory cells fall into the first category, that is, they express one EOP gene, whereas most nonneural cells fall into the second category, that is, they express multiple EOP genes. Third, it appears that there is a relationship between opioids, proliferation rate, and state of differentiation of cells, since it has been shown that (a) mitogenic factors may change the EOP profile of a cell, and that (b) opioids may inhibit the proliferation rate of normal or neoplastic cells. The physiologic implication of these observations is briefly discussed.

Identification, localization and developmental studies of rat prepro thyrotropin-releasing hormone mRNA in the testis

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) plays the central regulatory role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, but is also present in many extra-hypothalamic loci. The adult rat testis has been identified previously as a source of hypothalamic neuropeptides including TRH. To investigate whether the TRH gene is transcribed in testis, the identification and localization of prepro(pp) TRH mRNA and TRH were studied. Northern blot analyses of ppTRH mRNA in the adult rat testis showed a 2.0 kb band, hybridized with a ppTRH cRNA probe. This band was 0.4 kb greater than the 1.6 kb hypothalamic band. The concentration of ppTRH mRNA in the adult testis was approximately 13% of that found in the hypothalamus. Developmental studies of testicular ppTRH mRNA revealed that no ppTRH mRNA could be detected at the earliest stage (day 8). However, hybridization signals were detected on day 20 and increased progressively on days 35, 45 and 70 by 5.8, 6.4, and 9.8-fold, respectively. In addition, ppTRH mRNA was determined in Leydig cells by Northern analyses of elutriated testicular cell fractions. TRH was also measured in the rat testes at different developmental stages by RIA. TRH concentrations paralleled ppTRH mRNA during development. TRH was localized to Leydig cells by immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that ppTRH mRNA and TRH are present in the rat testis, especially in the Leydig cells. The changes of ppTRH gene expression and the concentration of TRH in the rat testis are developmentally dependent. TRH may function as a new paracrine or autocrine regulator of testicular function.

Local control systems within the testis

A number of physiological and pathological observations cannot readily be explained unless one accepts that there exists within the testis some sort of local control system. This local network of regulatory interactions offers not only an additional level of fine regulation for individual testicular functions, but also creates an opportunity for co-ordination and integration of distinct activities such as germ cell development and androgen production. There is an overwhelming amount of data indicating that the testis produces a variety of regulatory molecules and that many of these agonists have marked effects on the function of testicular cells in vitro. Some of these molecules are identical with or are at least related to known hormonal and humoral agonists. Others are novel and require further characterization. The exact cellular origin of many of these regulatory factors remains unknown. This overview has been limited to regulatory interactions between somatic testicular cells. Particular attention has been paid to communications between the interstitial and the tubular compartment. It should be evident that the nature and the significance of these interactions is only beginning to emerge. The major difficulty remains to distinguish effects that are restricted to the specific and often artificial conditions of in vitro systems from phenomena that are relevant to testicular control in vivo. Further progress in this field will rely on the development of appropriate systems to study local interactions in vivo. Valuable attempts have been made in this direction: vitamin A induced synchronization of spermatogenesis may offer a model to study stage dependent alterations in the interstitial compartment (Morales and Griswold, 1987; Bartlett et al, 1989); destruction of Leydig cells followed by substitution with androgens might clarify the role of non-steroidal Leydig cell mediators on tubular function (Shape et al, 1988). Up to now these approaches have failed to demonstrate an important role for local regulatory interactions. It is obvious that both models are relatively crude, however, and that subtle changes may have been missed under the experimental conditions used. It should be stressed that some of the observed complexities may be inherent to local regulatory networks. In fact, such networks tend to display a certain level of redundancy. It is evident, for example, that a number of locally produced mediators can also reach the testis via the circulation. In this setting the relative contribution of circulating and locally produced factors may vary depending on developmental stages, physiological or pathological conditions. A relative redundancy may exist for distinct locally produced mediators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Glutamate decarboxylases in nonneural cells of rat testis and oviduct: differential expression of GAD65 and GAD67

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its synthetic enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), are not limited to the nervous system but are also found in nonneural tissues. The mammalian brain contains at least two forms of GAD (GAD67 and GAD65), which differ from each other in size, sequence, immunoreactivity, and their interaction with the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). We used cDNAs and antibodies specific to GAD65 and GAD67 to study the molecular identity of GADs in peripheral tissues. We detected GAD and GAD mRNAs in rat oviduct and testis. In oviduct, the size of GAD, its response to PLP, its immunoreactivity, and its hybridization to specific RNA and DNA probes all indicate the specific expression of the GAD65 gene. In contrast, rat testis expresses the GAD67 gene. The GAD in these two reproductive tissues is not in neurons but in nonneural cells. The localization of brain GAD and GAD mRNAs in the mucosal epithelial cells of the oviduct and in spermatocytes and spermatids of the testis shows that GAD is not limited to neurons and that GABA may have functions other than neurotransmission.

Atypical prodynorphin gene expression in corticosteroid-producing cells of the rat adrenal gland

Prodynorphin (proDyn) gene expression was examined in the rat adrenal gland. In situ hybridization revealed a heterogenous proDyn mRNA distribution limited almost exclusively to the adrenal cortex; the inner cortical layers contained the highest amounts. In the adrenal medulla, only scattered single cells were seen. By Northern (RNA) blot analysis, adrenocortical proDyn mRNA levels were highly abundant but of smaller size than proDyn transcripts found in the brain. Low levels of the brain-size proDyn mRNA transcript were detected but restricted to the medulla. A discrepancy was suggested when comparing the high abundance of proDyn mRNA levels with the low levels of proDyn-derived peptide in the adrenal. A hypothesis of nontranslation of the shorter proDyn mRNA by adrenocortical cells was rejected because polysomal loading analysis suggests that the mRNA is translated. We propose that adrenocortical proDyn-derived peptides are not targeted for storage but are released shortly after synthesis, thus accounting for low peptide levels. We also measured proDyn mRNA levels in response to stimuli known to affect adrenocortical cells and their most important function--steroidogenesis. Adrenals from hypophysectomized rats had less proDyn mRNA by a factor of 5 than adrenals from normal sham-operated rats. Normal levels were restored by adrenocorticotrophic hormone administration, indicating a potential importance of adrenal proDyn in the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis.