Open AccessA 77-Base Pair LINE-Like Sequence Elicits Androgen-Dependentmvdp/akr1-b7Expression in Mouse Vas Deferens, But Is Dispensable for Adrenal Expression in Rats1
Author(s) -
Pierre Val,
Antoine Martinez,
Isabelle SahutBarnola,
C Jean,
G. Veyssière,
AnneMarie LefrançoisMartinez
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.674
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1945-7170
pISSN - 0013-7227
DOI - 10.1210/en.2002-220293
Subject(s) - vas deferens , androgen , androgen receptor , endocrinology , biology , medicine , gene expression , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , hormone , genetics , prostate cancer , cancer
Mvdp/akr1-b7 (mouse vas deferens protein/aldo-keto reductase 1-B7) encodes an enzyme responsible for detoxification of a steroidogenesis byproduct. MVDP/AKR1-B7 is expressed in both rat and mouse adrenal cortex under ACTH control, whereas strong androgen-dependent accumulation in the vas deferens is mouse specific. Comparison of the regulatory regions of the two orthologs reveals a strong identity, disrupted by acquisition of a 77-bp LINE-derived sequence in the mouse promoter. Although ACTH responsiveness is observed in both species, the absence of this 77-bp sequence in the rat is associated with changes in transcription initiation sites. Transfection studies demonstrate that the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein and selective promoter factor 1-binding sites previously shown to be essential for cAMP/ACTH induction in the mouse are consequently dispensable in the rat. Our data support the idea that the most striking change generated by this acquisition is the strong, androgen-dependent, vas deferens expression observed in mouse. 1) In rat vas deferens, rakr1-b7 expression is barely detectable and is not androgen sensitive. 2) Androgen receptor binds efficiently to an androgen response element within the 77-bp mouse-specific element. 3) Its insertion confers androgen sensitiveness to rakr1-b7 regulatory regions in an androgen response element-dependent manner in transient transfections. We propose that this acquired androgen-responsive region may be responsible for vas deferens androgen-regulated gene expression in vivo.