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Distribution of PNP 14 (β‐synuclein) in neuroendocrine tissues: Localization in Sertoli cells
Author(s) -
ShibayamaImazu Toshiko,
Ogane Kyoko,
Hasegawa Yuko,
Nakajo Shigeo,
Shioda Seiji,
Ochiai Hidehiko,
Nakai Yasumitsu,
Nakaya Kazuyasu
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199806)50:2<163::aid-mrd6>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - biology , sertoli cell , endocrine system , adrenal gland , adrenal medulla , microtubule , enteroendocrine cell , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , cytoplasm , testicle , endocrinology , vesicle , actin , pituitary gland , medulla , hormone , spermatogenesis , biochemistry , catecholamine , membrane
Phosphoneuroprotein (PNP 14) is abundant in the central nervous system and is localized at nerve endings but not in synaptic vesicles. In this study, we examined the presence of PNP 14 in various endocrine tissues of the rat. PNP 14 was not detected in the endocrine cells of the intestine, testes, or adrenal gland, but it was present in axon terminals in both the medulla of the adrenal gland and the anterior pituitary gland. When testes were stained with PNP 14–specific antibodies by an indirect immunofluorescence method, PNP 14 was found in Sertoli cells of the testes, associated with fibrillar structures. PNP 14 was also detected in cultured Sertoli cells with a fibrillar pattern in the cytoplasm and around the nuclei. The fibrillar structure did not resemble actin stress fibers, microtubules, or intermediate filaments. The amount of PNP 14 in the testis changed with development. It increased markedly during the first 4 weeks after birth and then decreased. During the first 4 weeks after birth, spermatogonia undergo two rounds of meiosis. It is possible, therefore, that PNP 14 might be a factor related to meiosis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 50:163–169, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.