Kinetics, molecular basis, and differentiation of l-lactate transport in spermatogenic cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. C523-C534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Brauchi ◽  
Maria C. Rauch ◽  
Ivan E. Alfaro ◽  
Christian Cea ◽  
Ilona I. Concha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Round Spermatid ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Lactate Transport ◽  
Glycolytic Activity ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes

Round spermatid energy metabolism is closely dependent on the presence of l-lactate in the external medium. This l-lactate has been proposed to be supplied by Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules. l-Lactate, in conjunction with glucose, modulates intracellular Ca2+ concentration in round spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes. In spite of this central role of l-lactate in spermatogenic cell physiology, the mechanism of l-lactate transport, as well as possible differentiation during spermatogenesis, has not been studied in these cells. By measuring radioactive l-lactate transport and intracellular pH (pHi) changes with pHi fluorescent probes, we show that these cells transport l-lactate using monocarboxylate-H+ transport (MCT) systems. RT-PCR, in situ mRNA hybridization, and immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry data show that pachytene spermatocytes express mainly the MCT1 and MCT4 isoforms of the transporter (intermediate- and low-affinity transporters, respectively), while round spermatids, besides MCT1 and MCT4, also show expression of the MCT2 isoform (high-affinity transporter). These molecular data are consistent with the kinetic data of l-lactate transport in these cells demonstrating at least two transport components for l-lactate. These separate transport components reflect the ability of these cells to switch between the generation of glycolytic l-lactate in the presence of external glucose and the use of l-lactate when this substrate is available in the external environment. The supply of these substrates is regulated by the hormonal control of Sertoli cell glycolytic activity.

Differential effects of FSH and testosterone on the maintenance of spermatogenesis in the adult hypophysectomized rat

1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. S. Bartlett ◽  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
E. Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Silicone Elastomer ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Intact Control ◽  
Testosterone Treatment ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes

ABSTRACT In order to clarify further the role of FSH in the maintenance of spermatogenesis, adult rats were treated with purified human FSH (2 × 5 IU/day per rat), testosterone (1·5 cm silicone elastomer implant) or a combination of both hormones for 2 weeks following hypophysectomy. After hypophysectomy alone, no elongate spermatids were observed and the numbers of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids observed were reduced when compared with untreated controls. Testosterone supplementation alone qualitatively maintained the formation of elongate spermatids in most seminiferous tubules, whilst in FSH-treated rats increased numbers of round spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes were observed when compared with hypophysectomized animals. Formation of elongate spermatids, however, did not occur under FSH treatment alone. A combination of FSH and testosterone treatment maintained spermatogenesis in an almost quantitative fashion. Numbers of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids were maintained at about 80% of levels seen in intact control animals. Treatment with FSH or testosterone alone maintained testis weights at significantly higher levels than those seen in hypophysectomized controls (FSH, 0·79 ± 0·05 g; testosterone, 0·81 ± 0·07 g; hypophysectomized, 0·50 ± 0·04 g). Animals treated with FSH and testosterone showed testis weights 20% below control values (1·22 ± 0·05 vs 1·51 ± 0·06 g; P <0·05). No increases in intratesticular or intratubular androgen concentrations or in testosterone: dihydrotestosterone ratios were observed in any of the hormone-treated groups when compared with hypophysectomized controls. In all hypophysectomized animals testicular androgen concentrations were reduced to <5% of control values. The results obtained in this study suggest that FSH is involved in the maintenance of spermatogenesis in the adult rat and that the effects of FSH are not mediated through changes in intratesticular androgens. Low levels of testosterone in combination with FSH can almost quantitatively maintain spermatogenesis in adult rats. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 121, 49–58

scholarly journals Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and is a new androgen-target gene in mammalian testis

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Laurentino ◽  
S Correia ◽  
J E Cavaco ◽  
P F Oliveira ◽  
L Rato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Gene ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Rat Testis ◽  
Reproductive Tissues ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Intracellular Ca

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,RGNwas identified as a sex steroid-regulated gene in prostate and breast; however, a possible role of RGN in spermatogenesis has not been examined. In this study, the expression and localization of RGN in rat and human testis, and other rat reproductive tissues was analyzed. Moreover, we studied whether RGN protein was present in seminiferous tubule fluid (STF). Finally, we examined the effect of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the expression ofRgnmRNA in rat seminiferous tubules (SeT) culturedex vivo. The results presented in this study 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. RGN is also expressed in rat prostate, epididymis, and seminal vesicles. Moreover, RGN protein is present in rat STF. The results also demonstrate thatRgnexpression is age dependent in rat testis, and is upregulated by the non-aromatizable androgen DHT in rat SeT culturedex vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate thatRgnis 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.

scholarly journals The crosstalk between melatonin and sex steroid hormones

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Cipolla-Neto ◽  
Fernanda Gaspar Amaral ◽  
José Maria Soares-Jr ◽  
Camila Congentino Gallo ◽  
André Furtado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Contraceptive Pills ◽  
Circulating Levels

Melatonin, an indolamine mainly released from the pineal gland, is associated with many biological functions namely the modulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, sleep inducer, regulator of energy metabolism, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic. Although several evidences also recognize the influence of melatonin in the reproductive physiology, the crosstalk between melatonin and sex hormones is not clear. Here, we review the effects of sex differences in the circulating levels of melatonin and update the current knowledge on the link between sex hormones and melatonin. Furthermore, we explore the effects of melatonin on gonadal steroidogenesis and hormonal control in females. The literature review shows that despite the strong evidence that sex differences impact on the circadian profiles of melatonin, reports are still considerably ambiguous and these differences may arise from several factors, like the use of contraceptive pills, hormonal status and sleep deprivation. Furthermore, there has been an inconclusive debate about the characteristics of the reciprocal relationship between melatonin and reproductive hormones. In this regard, there is evidence for the role of melatonin in gonadal steroidogenesis brought about by research that shows that melatonin affects multiple transduction pathways that modulate Sertoli cell physiology and consequently spermatogenesis, and also estrogen and progesterone production. From the outcome of our research, it is possible to conclude that understanding the correlation between melatonin and reproductive hormones is crucial for the correction of several complications occurring during pregnancy, like pre-eclampsia and for the control of climacteric symptoms.

MicroRNAs as Biomarker for Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 1597-1610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taru Aggarwal ◽  
Ridhima Wadhwa ◽  
Riya Gupta ◽  
Keshav Raj Paudel ◽  
Trudi Collet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Cell Multiplication ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Regardless of advances in detection and treatment, breast cancer affects about 1.5 million women all over the world. Since the last decade, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been extensively conducted for breast cancer to define the role of miRNA as a tool for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that are associated with the regulation of key cellular processes such as cell multiplication, differentiation, and death. They cause a disturbance in the cell physiology by interfering directly with the translation and stability of a targeted gene transcript. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large family of non-coding RNAs, which regulate target gene expression and protein levels that affect several human diseases and are suggested as the novel markers or therapeutic targets, including breast cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations are not only associated with metastasis, tumor genesis but also used as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis or prognosis. These are explained in detail in the following review. This review will also provide an impetus to study the role of microRNAs in breast cancer.

The role of hormones

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Frederik Nijhout ◽  
Emily Laub
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Plastic Trait

Many behaviors of insects are stimulated, modified, or modulated by hormones. The principal hormones involved are the same as the ones that control moulting, metamorphosis, and other aspects of development, principally ecdysone and juvenile hormone. In addition, a small handful of neurosecretory hormones are involved in the control of specific behaviors. Because behavior is a plastic trait, this chapter begins by outlining the biology and hormonal control of phenotypic plasticity in insects, and how the hormonal control of behavior fits in with other aspects of the control of phenotypic plasticity. The rest of the chapter is organized around the diversity of behaviors that are known to be controlled by or affected by hormones. These include eclosion and moulting behavior, the synthesis and release of pheromones, migration, parental care, dominance, reproductive behavior, and social behavior.

scholarly journals The RelA hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch for (p)ppGpp synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurag Kumar Sinha ◽  
Kristoffer Skovbo Winther
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Molecular Switch ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Synthetase Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Loop Region ◽  
A Site ◽  
Trna Binding

AbstractBacteria synthesize guanosine tetra- and penta phosphate (commonly referred to as (p)ppGpp) in response to environmental stresses. (p)ppGpp reprograms cell physiology and is essential for stress survival, virulence and antibiotic tolerance. Proteins of the RSH superfamily (RelA/SpoT Homologues) are ubiquitously distributed and hydrolyze or synthesize (p)ppGpp. Structural studies have suggested that the shift between hydrolysis and synthesis is governed by conformational antagonism between the two active sites in RSHs. RelA proteins of γ-proteobacteria exclusively synthesize (p)ppGpp and encode an inactive pseudo-hydrolase domain. Escherichia coli RelA synthesizes (p)ppGpp in response to amino acid starvation with cognate uncharged tRNA at the ribosomal A-site, however, mechanistic details to the regulation of the enzymatic activity remain elusive. Here, we show a role of the enzymatically inactive hydrolase domain in modulating the activity of the synthetase domain of RelA. Using mutagenesis screening and functional studies, we identify a loop region (residues 114–130) in the hydrolase domain, which controls the synthetase activity. We show that a synthetase-inactive loop mutant of RelA is not affected for tRNA binding, but binds the ribosome less efficiently than wild type RelA. Our data support the model that the hydrolase domain acts as a molecular switch to regulate the synthetase activity.

scholarly journals The Pleiotropic Function of Human Sirtuins as Modulators of Metabolic Pathways and Viral Infections

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hamed Alqarni ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Foudah ◽  
Magdy Mohamed Muharram ◽  
Nikolaos E. Labrou
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Complex Functions ◽  
Natural Polyphenol ◽  
Antiviral Targets

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent histone deacetylases that incorporate complex functions in the mechanisms of cell physiology. Mammals have seven distinct members of the SIRT family (SIRT1-7), which play an important role in a well-maintained network of metabolic pathways that control and adapt the cell to the environment, energy availability and cellular stress. Until recently, very few studies investigated the role of SIRTs in modulating viral infection and progeny. Recent studies have demonstrated that SIRT1 and SIRT2 are promising antiviral targets because of their specific connection to numerous metabolic and regulatory processes affected during infection. In the present review, we summarize some of the recent progress in SIRTs biochemistry and their emerging function as antiviral targets. We also discuss the potential of natural polyphenol-based SIRT modulators to control their functional roles in several diseases including viral infections.

scholarly journals The role of calcium homeostasis remodeling in inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndromes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanna Hamilton ◽  
Roland Veress ◽  
Andriy Belevych ◽  
Dmitry Terentyev
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrhythmia ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽  
Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
Strong Basis ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Qt Syndrome

AbstractSudden cardiac death due to malignant ventricular arrhythmias remains the major cause of mortality in the postindustrial world. Defective intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis has been well established as a key contributing factor to the enhanced propensity for arrhythmia in acquired cardiac disease, such as heart failure or diabetic cardiomyopathy. More recent advances provide a strong basis to the emerging view that hereditary cardiac arrhythmia syndromes are accompanied by maladaptive remodeling of Ca2+ homeostasis which substantially increases arrhythmic risk. This brief review will focus on functional changes in elements of Ca2+ handling machinery in cardiomyocytes that occur secondary to genetic mutations associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and long QT syndrome.

Role of capacitative Ca2+ entry in bronchial contraction and remodeling

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 1594-1602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Sweeney ◽  
Sharon S. McDaniel ◽  
Oleksandr Platoshyn ◽  
Shen Zhang ◽  
Ying Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Channel ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Bronchial Wall ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Transient Receptor

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway obstruction by bronchospasm and bronchial wall thickening due to smooth muscle hypertrophy. A rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) may serve as a shared signal transduction element that causes bronchial constriction and bronchial wall thickening in asthma. In this study, we examined whether capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) induced by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores was involved in agonist-mediated bronchial constriction and bronchial smooth muscle cell (BSMC) proliferation. In isolated bronchial rings, acetylcholine (ACh) induced a transient contraction in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ because of Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Restoration of extracellular Ca2+in the presence of atropine, an M-receptor blocker, induced a further contraction that was apparently caused by a rise in [Ca2+]cyt due to CCE. In single BSMC, amplitudes of the store depletion-activated currents ( I SOC) and CCE were both enhanced when the cells proliferate, whereas chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA significantly inhibited the cell growth in the presence of serum. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TRPC1, a transient receptor potential channel gene, was much greater in proliferating BSMC than in growth-arrested cells. Blockade of the store-operated Ca2+channels by Ni2+ decreased I SOC and CCE and markedly attenuated BSMC proliferation. These results suggest that upregulated TRPC1 expression, increased I SOC, enhanced CCE, and elevated [Ca2+]cyt may play important roles in mediating bronchial constriction and BSMC proliferation.

Regulation of intracellular calcium in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells: the role of Na+/Ca2+exchange

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (5) ◽  
pp. C1000-C1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara L. Kopper ◽  
Joseph S. Adorante
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Normal Cell ◽  
Buffer Capacity ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Scorpion Venom ◽  
Reverse Mode ◽  
Intracellular Ca

In fura 2-loaded N1E-115 cells, regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) following a Ca2+ load induced by 1 μM thapsigargin and 10 μM carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethyoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) was Na+ dependent and inhibited by 5 mM Ni2+. In cells with normal intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i), removal of bath Na+, which should result in reversal of Na+/Ca2+exchange, did not increase [Ca2+]i unless cell Ca2+ buffer capacity was reduced. When N1E-115 cells were Na+ loaded using 100 μM veratridine and 4 μg/ml scorpion venom, the rate of the reverse mode of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger was apparently enhanced, since an ∼4- to 6-fold increase in [Ca2+]ioccurred despite normal cell Ca2+ buffering. In SBFI-loaded cells, we were able to demonstrate forward operation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (net efflux of Ca2+) by observing increases (∼ 6 mM) in [Na+]i. These Ni2+ (5 mM)-inhibited increases in [Na+]i could only be observed when a continuous ionomycin-induced influx of Ca2+ occurred. The voltage-sensitive dye bis-(1,3-diethylthiobarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol was used to measure changes in membrane potential. Ionomycin (1 μM) depolarized N1E-115 cells (∼25 mV). This depolarization was Na+dependent and blocked by 5 mM Ni2+ and 250–500 μM benzamil. These data provide evidence for the presence of an electrogenic Na+/Ca2+ exchanger that is capable of regulating [Ca2+]i after release of Ca2+ from cell stores.

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