scholarly journals Regulation of rat Sertoli cell function by FSH: possible role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway

2002 ◽  
Vol 174 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
SB Meroni ◽  
MF Riera ◽  
EH Pellizzari ◽  
SB Cigorraga

The FSH molecular mechanism of action is best recognized for its stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP pathway via activation of a G protein. Recently, links between cAMP, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB) signaling pathways in thyroid and granulosa cells have been observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the PI3K/PKB pathway in FSH regulation of Sertoli cell function. Twenty-day-old rat Sertoli cell cultures were used. An increase in phosphorylated PKB (P-PKB) levels in response to FSH and dibutyryl-cAMP was observed. These increments in P-PKB levels were not observed in the presence of two PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and Ly 294002. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) by H89 did not decrease FSH stimulation of P-PKB levels. Taken together, these results indicate that FSH increases P-PKB levels in a PI3K-dependent and PKA-independent manner in rat Sertoli cells. In addition, wortmannin partially inhibited the ability of FSH to stimulate two well-known parameters of Sertoli cell function - transferrin secretion and lactate production - at doses equal to or lower than 0.1 microM. Related to lactate production, a decrease in FSH stimulation of lactate dehydrogenase activity and of basal and FSH-stimulated glucose uptake was observed in the presence of wortmannin. These metabolic changes were in most cases accompanied by changes in the levels of P-PKB. Altogether, these results suggest a meaningful role of the PI3K/PKB pathway in the mechanism of action of FSH in rat Sertoli cells.

2004 ◽  
Vol 180 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
SB Meroni ◽  
MF Riera ◽  
EH Pellizzari ◽  
MN Galardo ◽  
SB Cigorraga

The gonadotropin FSH plays a key role in the control of Sertoli cell function. The FSH molecular mechanism of action is best recognized for its stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP pathway. However, other signaling events have also been demonstrated in Sertoli cells. We have recently presented evidence that FSH can stimulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB) pathway in 20-day-old Sertoli cells. At the same time, it was proposed that in 8-day-old Sertoli cells the effects of FSH on phosphorylated PKB (P-PKB) levels can be explained by a combination of increased secretion of endogenous IGF-I, decreased IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) production, and a synergistic action of FSH on IGF-I-dependent PI3K activation. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the effect of FSH on 20-day-old Sertoli cells is mediated by IGF-I secretion. Twenty-day-old rat Sertoli cell cultures were used. FSH stimulation produced a time-dependent increment in P-PKB levels reaching maximal values in 60-min incubations. IGF-I stimulation was also time-dependent reaching maximal values in 15-min incubations. On the other hand, stimulation of the cultures with FSH showed time-dependent inhibition in phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (P-MAPK) levels. In sharp contrast, stimulation of the cultures with IGF-I showed time-dependent increments in P-MAPK levels reaching maximal stimulus in 15-min incubations. In order to rule out an IGF-I action on FSH stimulation of P-PKB levels, the effect of a specific IGF-I antibody on the ability of both hormones to increase P-PKB levels was evaluated. As expected, the antibody inhibited IGF-I stimulation of P-PKB levels. However, simultaneous addition of an IGF-I antibody with FSH did not modify the ability of the hormone to increase P-PKB levels. The next set of experiments intended to analyze the relevance of a PI3K/PKB pathway to two biological responses of Sertoli cells to FSH and IGF-I. The PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, dose-dependently decreased FSH-stimulated lactate and transferrin production. On the other hand, wortmannin was not able to modify the ability of IGF-I to stimulate these metabolic events. In addition, the analysis of the participation of a MAPK pathway in IGF-I regulation of Sertoli cell biological responses showed that the MAPK kinase inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, decreased IGF-I-stimulated transferrin secretion while not modifying IGF-I-stimulated lactate levels. In summary, results obtained so far support the hypothesis that FSH action on P-PKB levels and Sertoli cell metabolism in 20-day-old animals is not mediated by autocrine regulation of an IGF-I/ IGFBP-3 axis as previously proposed in 8-day-old Sertoli cells.


Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Fernanda Riera ◽  
María Noel Galardo ◽  
Eliana Herminia Pellizzari ◽  
Silvina Beatriz Meroni ◽  
Selva Beatriz Cigorraga

Interleukin-1β (IL1β ) belongs to a set of intratesticular regulators that provide the fine-tuning of cellular processes implicated in the maintenance of spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the signaling pathways that may participate in IL1β regulation of Sertoli cell function. Sertoli cell cultures from 20-day-old rat were used. Stimulation of the cultures with IL1β showed increments in phosphorylated protein kinase B (PKB), P70S6K, and ERK1/2 levels. A phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (wortmannin (W)), a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (rapamycin (R)), and a MEK inhibitor (PD98059 (PD)) were utilized to evaluate the participation of PI3K/PKB, P70S6K, and ERK1/2 pathways in the regulation of lactate production by IL1β . PD and W, but not R, decreased IL1β-stimulated lactate production. The participation of these pathways in the regulation of glucose uptake and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) A mRNA levels by IL1β was also analyzed. It was observed that W decreased IL1β-stimulated glucose uptake, whereas PD and R did not modify it. On the other hand, PD decreased the stimulation of LDH A mRNA levels by IL1β , whereas W and R did not modify it. In summary, results presented herein demonstrate that IL1β stimulates PI3K/PKB-, P70S6K-, and ERK1/2-dependent pathways in rat Sertoli cells. Moreover, these results show that while IL1β utilizes the PI3K/PKB pathway to regulate glucose transport, it utilizes the ERK1/2 pathway to regulate LDH A mRNA levels. This study reveals that IL1β utilizes different signal transduction pathways to modify the biochemical steps that are important to regulate lactate production in rat Sertoli cells.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
MF Riera ◽  
SB Meroni ◽  
EH Pellizzari ◽  
SB Cigorraga

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) belongs to the large set of intratesticular regulators that provide the fine tuning of cellular processes implicated in the maintenance of spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the participation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB) pathways in bFGF regulation of Sertoli cell function. Twenty-day-old rat Sertoli cell cultures were used. Stimulation of the cultures with bFGF showed a time-dependent increment in phosphorylated MAPK and PKB levels that reached maximal values in 5-min incubations. MAPK kinase inhibitors U0126 (U) and PD98059 (PD) and a PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (W) were able to block the stimulatory effects of bFGF on phosphorylated MAPK and PKB levels respectively. The participation of MAPK- and PI3K/PKB-signaling pathways in the regulation by bFGF of two well-known Sertoli cell-differentiated functions, lactate and transferrin production, was next explored. As for lactate production, PD and W did not modify the ability of bFGF to stimulate lactate production. However, a combination of PD and W partially impaired the increase in lactate production elicited by bFGF. The participation of MAPK- and PI3K/PKB-signaling pathways in the regulation by bFGF of glucose uptake and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also analysed. In this respect, it was observed that W markedly decreased basal and bFGF-stimulated glucose uptake and that U and PD did not modify it. On the other hand, U and PD decreased the stimulation of LDH activity by bFGF whereas W did not modify it. As for transferrin production, while both MAPK kinase inhibitors partially decreased the ability of bFGF to stimulate transferrin secretion, the PI3K inhibitor did not modify it. In summary, the results demonstrated that bFGF stimulates MAPK- and PI3K/PKB-dependent pathways in rat Sertoli cells. Moreover, these results showed that while bFGF utilizes the MAPK pathway to regulate transferrin production and LDH activity, it uses the PI3K/PKB pathway to regulate glucose transport into the cell.


2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Noel Galardo ◽  
María Fernanda Riera ◽  
Eliana Herminia Pellizzari ◽  
Selva Beatriz Cigorraga ◽  
Silvina Beatriz Meroni

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, is present in Sertoli cells and whether its activation by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-d-ribonucleoside (AICAR) results in the regulation of cell metabolism to ensure lactate supply for germ cell development. Sertoli cell cultures from 20-day-old rats were used. Western blot analysis for the α-subunit of AMPK showed that high levels of AMPK are present in Sertoli cells. Treatment of the cultures with AICAR resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase of P-AMPK levels indicating activation of the enzyme. A possible effect of AICAR on Sertoli cell lactate production was then analyzed. A dose- and time-dependent increment in lactate secretion was observed. The participation of AMPK activation in different biochemical processes that may be implicated in the regulation of lactate production was also analyzed. AICAR stimulated glucose uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, AICAR increased the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and decreased the glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) mRNA levels. As for the role of AMPK in the regulation of the monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and MCT4), it has been observed that AICAR treatment decreased MCT1 and increased MCT4 mRNA levels. In summary, the results presented herein show that AMPK is present in Sertoli cells and that its activation by AICAR increases lactate production as a result, at least in part, of a) an increase in glucose uptake, b) an increase in GLUT1 expression, and c) a decrease in MCT1 and an increase in MCT4 levels. Altogether, these results suggest an important role of AMPK in modulating the nutritional function of Sertoli cells.


2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireille CORMONT ◽  
Nadine GAUTIER ◽  
Karine ILC ◽  
Yannick Le MARCHAND-BRUSTEL

The small GTPase Rab4 has been shown to participate in the subcellular distribution of GLUT4 under both basal and insulin-stimulated conditions in adipocytes. In the present work, we have characterized the effect of Rab4 ΔCT, a prenylation-deficient and thus cytosolic form of Rab4, in this process. We show that the expression of Rab4 ΔCT in freshly isolated adipocytes inhibits insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation, but only when this protein is in its GTP-bound active form. Further, it not only blocks the effect of insulin, but also that of a hyperosmotic shock, but does not interfere with the effect of zinc ions on GLUT4 translocation. Rab4 ΔCT was then shown to prevent GLUT4 translocation induced by the expression of an active form of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or of protein kinase B, without altering the activities of the enzymes. Our results are consistent with a role of Rab4 ΔCT acting as a dominant negative protein towards Rab4, possibly by binding to Rab4 effectors.


2000 ◽  
Vol 348 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katia COULONVAL ◽  
Fabrice VANDEPUT ◽  
Rob C. STEIN ◽  
Sara C. KOZMA ◽  
Françoise LAMY ◽  
...  

The proliferation of most normal cells depends on the co-operation of several growth factors and hormones, each with a specific role, but the key events involved in the action of each necessary stimulant remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, the pathways involved in the mechanism(s) of co-operation have been investigated in primary cultures of dog thyroid epithelial cells. In this physiologically relevant system, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) acting through cAMP, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and phorbol esters (such as PMA) induce DNA synthesis. Their effect requires stimulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor by either IGF-1 or insulin, which are not themselves mitogenic agents. In contrast, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is itself fully mitogenic. The results of the study demonstrate that cAMP, EGF, HGF and PMA stimulate p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70 S6 kinase). However, insulin/IGF-1 also stimulate p70 S6 kinase. Thus stimulation of p70 S6 kinase might be necessary, but is certainly not sufficient, for the induction of DNA synthesis and is not specific for any stimulated pathway. In contrast, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and protein kinase B (PKB) activation by insulin and HGF is strong and sustained, whereas it is weak and transient with EGF and absent in the presence of TSH or PMA. These findings suggest that: (i) stimulation of PI 3-kinases and/or PKB is not involved in the cAMP-dependent pathways leading to thyrocyte proliferation, or in the action of PMA, (ii) the stimulation of the PI 3-kinase/PKB pathway may account for the permissive action of insulin/IGF-1 in the proliferation of these cells, and (iii) the stimulation of this pathway by HGF may explain why this agent does not require insulin or IGF-1 for its mitogenic action.


1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Palmero ◽  
M. de Marchis ◽  
G. Gallo ◽  
E. Fugassa

ABSTRACT The relationship between thyroid activity and Sertoli cell function has been investigated in prepubertal rats. Male 28-day-old Wistar rats were used to prepare Sertoli cells by sequential enzyme digestion of the testes. Hypothyroidism, induced by oral administration of methimazole from the day of birth, was characterized by a severe retardation of body and testis growth and a net inhibition of the increase in Sertoli cell γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity as well as in androgen-binding protein (ABP) and lactate production, which normally occur during postnatal development of Sertoli cells. The functional parameters of Sertoli cells from hypothyroid 28-day-old rats approximated to those of cells from euthyroid 15-day-old animals. These results are consistent with the impairment of protein synthesis in Sertoli cells from hypothyroid rats compared with controls. Body and testis growth were improved and Sertoli cell functions were restored with 3,3′,5-tri-iodothyronine (T3) replacement therapy. An excess of T3 in the serum, induced by daily i.p. injections of T3 (100 μg/kg body wt) during the last week before the rats were killed, failed to induce changes in body and testis growth or in the activity of GGT and lactate dehydrogenase of Sertoli cells. Cells from hyperthyroid rats exhibited a specific decrease in ABP production. These results indicate that thyroid hormone is necessary for the postnatal maturation of Sertoli cell function and suggest a regulatory role of the hormone on gametogenic development in the prepubertal rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 105–111


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.I. Welsh ◽  
I. Hers ◽  
D.C. Berwick ◽  
G. Dell ◽  
M. Wherlock ◽  
...  

The activation of protein kinase B (or Akt) plays a central role in the stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin. Currently, however, numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the role of this kinase in bringing about this effect. For example, we do not know precisely where in the GLUT4 trafficking pathway this kinase acts. Nor do we know which protein substrates are responsible for mediating the effects of protein kinase B, although two recently identified proteins (AS160 and PIKfyve) may play a role. This paper addresses these important questions by reviewing recent progress in the field.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document