Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.1.27.5 (RNase)
17,967 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A DNA species with buoyant densities greater than mouse cellular DNA was found associated with intracytoplasmic A particles (CAP) isolated from mouse mammary tumor virus-infected mouse mammary tumors and mouse Leydig cell tumors which produce CAP but no complete mouse mammary tumor virus virions. This DNA species was absent in identically prepared tissue fractions from tumors which did not contain CAP. Treatment of CAP-associated DNA with pancreatic RNase A did not alter the buoyant density although a reduction in apparent molecular weight (broadening of the DNA band at equilibrium) was observed upon analytical equilibrium sedimentation in CsCl. The molecular weight of untreated CAP-associated DNA was estimated to range from 0.8 x 10(6) to 3.1 x 10(6). Base composition analysis showed CAP-DNA to possess an approximate guanine plus cytosine content of 38%. Ninety percent of CAP-associated DNA eluted as single-stranded molecules upon hydroxyapatite column chromatography, a characteristic that accounts in part for its higher buoyant density in neutral CsCl compared to native double-stranded mouse DNA. In two preparations, CAP-DNA had a sedimentation coefficient of 7 to 8S.
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PMID:Further characterization of intracytoplasmic A particle-associated DNA. 17 46

The effects of hCG, 8-bromo-cAMP, 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate, and forskolin on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor gene expression of Leydig cells were studied. The treatment of purified Leydig cells with hCG caused a dose-dependent increase in [125I]IGF-I binding to Leydig cells without changes in binding affinity, indicating that the increased binding was due to increased receptor numbers and not to increased affinity. The minimal time required for hCG to induce IGF-I binding was 6 h, and it had reached a plateau at 16 h. 8-Bromo-cAMP (1 mM) increased IGF-I binding about 2-fold, and forskolin (10 microM) increased binding about 51%. Using the ribonuclease protection assay, we found that hCG and 8-bromo-cAMP could increase IGF-I receptor mRNA expression as early as 2 h before the increase in IGF-I binding. The induction by hCG was over 3.5-fold at 4 h and decreased to about 2-fold at 6 h. 4 beta-Phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate had a very small effect on IGF-I receptor mRNA levels (1.5-fold increase at 2 h and no changes at 4 and 6 h). In conclusion, IGF-I receptors can be up-regulated by hCG, 8-bromo-cAMP, and forskolin. The up-regulation of IGF-I receptor number is associated with transient increases in IGF-I receptor mRNA levels. This could be a mechanism by which hCG and IGF-I interact to enhance Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
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PMID:Human chorionic gonadotropin up-regulates insulin-like growth factor-I receptor gene expression of Leydig cells. 165 15

The bovine oxytocin gene has been expressed in the testes of two independent transgenic mouse lines. Hybridization and RNase protection analysis showed that the oxytocin transgene was transcribed from the normal functional promoter in the Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules in a developmentally regulated manner. Immunohistochemistry indicated that both oxytocin and neurophysin epitopes were expressed together in the Sertoli cells at stages I-V and X-XII of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Furthermore, analysis with high-performance liquid chromatography showed that there was a tenfold increase in the amount of amidated oxytocin present in testicular extracts from the transgenic mice. However, there appeared to be no detectable effect of this overproduction of hormone on testicular morphology or fertility parameters. A significant decrease by 50% was detected only in the levels of intratesticular testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The results point to a local paracrine role for oxytocin in the modulation of Leydig cell function.
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PMID:Over-expression of oxytocin in the testes of a transgenic mouse model. 751 Nov 54

The expression pattern of the imprinted human H19 gene was investigated in testicular cancers of different etiology, as well as in normal testicular parenchyma, parenchyma without germ cells, and adjacent to testicular germ cell tumors of adolescents and adults (TGCTs), using RNase protection analysis, mRNA in situ hybridization and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. While different total expression levels were detected in spermatocytic seminomas, lymphomas, a Sertoli cell tumor and Leydig cell tumors, none showed a disturbance of monoallelic expression. Strikingly, the majority of invasive TGCTs revealed expression of both parental alleles. The total level of expression highly correlated with differentiation lineage and stage of maturation, similar to that as reported during early normal embryogenesis. Biallelic expression could also be determined specifically in testis parenchyma containing the preinvasive lesion of this cancer. We therefore conclude that within the adult testis, biallelic H19 expression is specific for TGCTs, and that the level of expression is dependent on differentiation lineage and maturation stage. This is in agreement with the proposed primordial germ cell-origin of this cancer, and might be related to retention of embryonic characteristics in TGCTs. In addition, our data argue against H19 being a tumor suppressor gene.
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PMID:Unique expression patterns of H19 in human testicular cancers of different etiology. 901 Feb 36

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus is the major regulator of TSH synthesis and secretion. Most recently, TRH and TRH receptors (TRH-R), as well as their mRNAs, have been identified in rat testis. To expand our knowledge on the testicular TRH and TRH receptor gene expression in different species, in the present study the mRNA levels of testicular TRH and TRH-R were investigated in Siberian hamsters. To further localize the cellular sites of the gene expression, the animal model was treated with a single injection of ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS) (i.p., 80 mg/kg body weight), a compound known as to specifically eliminate testicular Leydig cells. The elimination of Leydig cells induced by EDS treatment was confirmed by histological studies of the testis sections and by serum hormonal analyses, which showed a dramatic reduction of serum testosterone (T) levels and significantly elevated serum LH concentrations. Messenger RNA levels of TRH and TRH-R in the testes were determined by Northern blot analyses quantitated with densitometry scanning. The results showed that specific TRH-R mRNA, 3.8 kb in size, was identified in Siberian hamster testes and the mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the EDS-treated testes compared to the controls (p < 0.01). Testicular TRH mRNA was also detected; however, no significant differences in TRH mRNA levels were found between EDS-treated and control groups. The size of TRH mRNA was characterized as about 1.2 kb in hamster testes, which was smaller than that observed in the rat hypothalamus (1.6 kb) and in the rat testis (2.0 kb). Further studies by RNase H digestion revealed the presence of smaller TRH transcripts in the hamster testes than those in the rat testis. No hybridization signal for TRH mRNA was detected by RNase protection assay, when a rat TRH riboprobe was applied to hamster testis RNA, suggesting the limited homology of TRH gene sequences between these two species. Our results demonstrate that both TRH and TRH-R genes are expressed in Siberian hamster testes, and a significant increase of TRH-R mRNA levels occurs in the Leydig cell eliminated hamster testes. Unlike the rat testicular TRH mRNA mainly detected in Leydig cells, in hamster TRH mRNA could also be detected in other testicular compartment.
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PMID:The detection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and TRH receptor gene expression in Siberian hamster testes. 939 64

Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) is an immunomodulating cytokine that has profound effects on reproductive function. IFNgamma inhibits steroidogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism by which IFNgamma inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of IFNgamma on the expression and regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells. StAR facilitates the efficient production of steroid hormone by regulating the translocation of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, the site of the cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme system that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone. IFNgamma inhibited hCG-induced StAR messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of IFNgamma in a concentration of 500 U/ml decreased hCG-induced 3.8- and 1.7-kilobase StAR mRNA by 78% and 70%, respectively. IFNgamma also reduced hCG-stimulated P450scc mRNA levels by 69%. The inhibitory effects of IFNgamma on StAR mRNA levels were confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay. As early as 12 h after the addition of IFNgamma, hCG-induced StAR mRNA levels decreased by more than 44%. To evaluate the effects of IFNgamma on StAR protein levels, Western blot analyses were performed. hCG in a concentration of 10 ng/ml increased StAR protein by 5.6-fold. Treatment of Leydig cells with IFNgamma (500 U/ml) decreased hCG-induced StAR protein by 44%. In contrast, interleukin-1 and murine tumor necrosis factor-alpha reduced hCG-induced P450scc mRNA expression without inhibiting StAR mRNA or protein levels. In conclusion, IFNgamma inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis by down-regulating StAR gene expression and protein production.
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PMID:Interferon-gamma inhibits the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein messenger ribonucleic acid expression and protein levels in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells. 956 25

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays an essential role in reproductive function. Leydig cells express specific IGF-I receptors, and IGF-I enhances human chorionic gonadorphin (hCG)-induced testosterone formation. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of IGF-I on the gene expression and protein levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. StAR mRNA is expressed in rat Leydig cells as two major transcripts of 3.8 and 1.7 kb. StAR mRNA levels (both 3.8 and 1.7 kb) were markedly induced about 20-fold by hCG (10 ng/mL). Concomitant addition of IGF-I (50 or 100 ng/mL) and hCG (10 ng/mL) resulted in significant increases in StAR and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) mRNA levels, whereas lower doses of IGF-I (1 or 10 ng/ mL) had small effects. Synergistic effects of IGF-I and hCG on StAR mRNA levels were confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay (RPA). IGF-I (100 ng/mL) enhanced hCG- and 20 OH-cholesterol + hCG-induced testosterone formation, whereas the conversions of pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione to testosterone were not affected. This suggests that the major effect of IGF-I is at the steps of StAR and P450scc, whereas other steroidogenic enzymes are not affected. To evaluate whether increased StAR mRNA levels induced by IGF-I and hCG are associated with increased StAR protein levels, we carried out Western blot analyses. Basal StAR protein levels were low after 24 h in culture. hCG (10 ng/mL) increased StAR protein by 4.5-fold. In the presence of IGF-I (100 ng/mL), hCG-induced StAR protein levels were further increased. In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that IGF-I enhances Leydig cell steroidogenesis by upregulating hCG-induced StAR gene expression and protein production.
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PMID:Upregulation of human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced steroidogenic acute regulatory protein by insulin-like growth factor-I in rat Leydig cells. 966 48

3Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4 isomerases (3beta-HSD) are enzymes that catalyze the conversion of delta5 to delta4 steroids in the gonads and adrenal for the biosynthesis of sex steroid and corticoids. In gonadotropin-desensitized Leydig cells, from rats treated with high doses of human CG (hCG), testosterone production is markedly reduced, a finding that was attributed in part to reduction of CYP17 expression. In this study, we present evidence for an additional steroidogenic lesion induced by gonadotropin. Using differential display analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) from Leydig cells of rats treated with a single desensitizing dose of hCG (2.5 microg), we found that transcripts for type I and type II 3beta-HSD were substantially (5- to 8-fold) down-regulated. This major reduction, confirmed by RNase protection assay, was observed at the high hCG dose (2.5 microg), whereas minor or no change was found at lower doses (0.01 and 0.1 microg). In contrast, 3beta-HSD mRNA transcripts were not changed in luteinized ovaries of pseudopregnant rats treated with 2.5 microg hCG. The down-regulation of 3beta-HSD mRNA in the Leydig cell resulted from changes at the transcriptional level. Western blot analysis showed 3beta-HSD protein was significantly reduced by hCG treatment, with changes that were coincidental with the reduction of enzyme activity and temporally consistent with the reduction of 3beta-HSD mRNA but independent of LH receptor down-regulation. The reduction of 3beta-HSD mRNA resulting from transcriptional inhibition of gene expression, and the consequent reduction of 3beta-HSD activity could contribute to the inhibition of androgen production in gonadotropin-induced steroidogenic desensitization of Leydig cells. The gender-specific regulation of 3beta-HSD by hCG reflects differential transcriptional regulation of the enzymes to accommodate physiological hormonal requirements and reproductive function.
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PMID:Regulation of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in gonadotropin-induced steroidogenic desensitization of Leydig cells. 979 58

DICER1, an endoribonuclease required for microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, is essential for embryogenesis and the development of many organs including ovaries. We have recently identified somatic hotspot mutations in RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 in half of ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, a rare class of sex-cord stromal cell tumors in young women. These hotspot mutations lost IIIb cleavage activity of DICER1 in vitro and failed to produce 5p-derived miRNAs in mouse Dicer1-null ES cells. However, the oncogenic potential of these hotspot DICER1 mutations has not been studied. Here, we further revealed that the global expression of 5p-derived miRNAs was dramatically reduced in ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors carrying DICER1 hotspot mutations compared with those without DICER1 hotspot mutation. The miRNA production defect was associated with the deregulation of genes controlling cell proliferation and the cell fate. Using an immortalized human granulosa cell line, SVOG3e, we determined that the D1709N-DICER1 hotspot mutation failed to produce 5p-derived miRNAs, deregulated the expression of several genes that control gonadal differentiation and cell proliferation, and promoted cell growth. Re-expression of let-7 significantly inhibited the growth of D1709N-DICER1 SVOG3e cells, accompanied by the suppression of key regulators of cell cycle control and ovarian gonad differentiation. Taken together, our data revealed that DICER1 hotspot mutations cause systemic loss of 5p-miRNAs that can both drive pseudodifferentiation of testicular elements and cause oncogenic transformation in the ovary.
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PMID:The oncogenic roles of DICER1 RNase IIIb domain mutations in ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. 2640 57

The DICER1 gene encodes an endoribonuclease involved in the production of mature microRNAs which regulates gene expression through several mechanisms. Carriers of germline DICER1 mutations are predisposed to a rare cancer syndrome, the DICER1 syndrome. Pleuropulmonary blastoma is the most frequent lesion seen in this syndrome. Thyroid abnormalities are also a common finding, essentially concerning multinodular goiter. However, differentiated thyroid carcinoma is infrequently seen in such pedigrees. In addition to germline DICER1 mutations, specific somatic mutations have been identified in the DICER1 RNase IIIb catalytic domain in several tumor types, including ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. We report two cases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma associated with ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and with a heterozygous DICER1 gene mutation, occurring in two unrelated young girls without pleuropulmonary blastoma. Both thyroid carcinomas showed an E1813 mutation in exon 25 while the ovarian tumors harboured a somatic mutation in E1705 in exon 24 and a D1709 mutation in exon 25. Our observations confirm that the occurrence of an ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with a thyroid carcinoma is highly suggestive of a DICER1 syndrome. We contend that the possibility of a relationship between sporadic thyroid carcinoma in young patients and somatic DICER1 gene mutation needs further investigation.
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PMID:The co-occurrence of an ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with a thyroid carcinoma is highly suggestive of a DICER1 syndrome. 2698 1


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