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Differential Patterns of Regulated Gene Expression in the Adult Rat Epididymis a
Author(s) -
DOUGLASS JAMES,
GARRETT SUSANNE H.,
GARRETT JAMES E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1991.tb27324.x
Subject(s) - boulevard , library science , environmental ethics , history , archaeology , philosophy , computer science
Specialization among the principal epithelial cells of the epididymal tubule is documented following the analysis of transcriptional activity of four distinct species of mRNA. In situ histochemical analysis revealed a unique pattern of expression for each transcript. This observation supports the concept that region-specific patterns of transcriptional expression along the epididymal tubule serve as the major molecular basis underlying region-specific patterns of luminal proteins within the tubule. Additionally, multiple testicular factors appear to regulate expression of these mRNAs. The transcript encoding peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase is constitutively expressed. Those encoding the major secretory proteins, protein B/C and protein D/E, are directly regulated by testicular androgen. That encoding the opioid peptide precursor, proenkephalin, is regulated by a non-androgen testicular factor(s), specifically, spermatozoa or a spermatozoa-related factor. Thus, a complex array of nuclear events and signals received by the principal cells serve to determine the transcriptional status of genes expressed within this epididymal cell type.