Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Androgen-binding protein (ABP) is present in the guinea-pig testis, epididymis and epididymal fluid. Guinea-pig ABP sediments as an approx. 4.6S species on sucrose gradients containing 0.01 M KCl. Electrophoresis on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels indicated that specific androgen binding was present in epididymal cytosol, but not in plasma. Time-course studies indicated that binding equilibrium is approached in about 2.5 h; the dissociation half-time of [3H]5 alpha-DHT from guinea-pig ABP is 5.64 +/- 0.62 h (n = 6) at 4 degrees C. The relative affinities of some steroids for guinea-pig ABP in relation to 5 alpha-DHT = 1 are: testosterone = 0.55 +/- 0.13 (n = 4), estradiol = 0.14 +/- 0.03 (n = 4), the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate = 0.0025 +/- 0.0002 (n = 3). Guinea-pig ABP exhibited an equilibrium dissociation constant of 6.34 +/- 0.52 nM (n = 3) at 4 degrees C and there were 3.43 +/- 0.78 (n = 3) pmoles of binding sites per mg of protein when homogenates of the whole epididymis were assayed. The concentration of ABP was lowest in the caput-corpus region of the epididymis, highest in the proximal cauda, and intermediate in the distal cauda. Essentially all of the ABP present in the distal cauda was intraluminal, as evidenced by the fact that flushing of the duct eliminated most of the [3H]5 alpha-DHT binding activity.
Mol Cell Endocrinol
PMID:The presence of androgen-binding protein in the guinea-pig testis, epididymis and epididymal fluid. 689 45

Differential screening of a human epididymal cDNA library led to the isolation and characterization of a major epididymis-specific cDNA clone family, referred to as HE3. More detailed sequence and PCR analysis identified two different but homologous gene transcripts, HE3 alpha and HE3 beta. The former represents an mRNA of ca. 1 kb, encoding a putative small secretory polypeptide of 14903 MW. The HE3 beta transcript was only found as incomplete 3' fragments. Analysis of human genomic DNA by Southern blotting suggested the presence in the human genome of at least three independent HE3-related genes. Isolation of genomic clones for the HE3 alpha gene showed this to contain a single intron of 1.4 kb in the 5' noncoding region. Although genomic clones corresponding to HE3 beta could not be found, a third highly homologous gene, HE3 gamma, was identified as a potential pseudogene. Neither nucleotide nor encoded amino acid sequences of the HE3 gene family are related to any other known sequence in the central databases, and thus represents a novel human gene family, with at least three nonallelic members. Northern hybridization analysis showed that HE3 gene products are specifically expressed in the human epididymis, and not in any other tissue examined. Furthermore, except for the pig, no other nonprimate species has been identified to express homologous sequences in the epididymis. RNase protection assays showed that both the HE3 alpha and HE3 beta, but not the HE3 gamma genes, are expressed in the human epididymis.
Mol Reprod Dev 1994 Feb
PMID:Major human epididymis-specific gene product, HE3, is the first representative of a novel gene family. 751 8

To explore the role of the matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (MAT) in normal tissue remodeling, we cloned the murine homologue of MAT from postpartum uterus using RACE polymerase chain reaction and examined its pattern of expression in embryonic, neonatal, and adult mice. The murine coding sequence and the corresponding predicted protein sequence were found to be 75% and 70% identical to the human sequences, respectively, and organization of the six exons comprising the gene is similar to the human gene. Northern analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that MAT is expressed in the normal cycling, pregnant, and postpartum uterus, with levels of expression highest in the involuting uterus at early time points (6 h to 1.5 days postpartum). The mRNA was confined to epithelial cells lining the lumen and some glandular structures. High constitutive levels of MAT transcripts were also detected in the small intestine, where expression was localized to the epithelial Paneth cells at the base of the crypts. Similarly, MAT expression was found in epithelial cells of the efferent ducts, in the initial segment and cauda of the epididymis, and in an extra-hepatic branch of the bile duct. MAT transcripts were detectable only by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the colon, kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, stomach, juvenile uterus, and normal, lactating, and involuting mammary gland, as was expression primarily late in embryogenesis. Analysis of MAT expression during postnatal development indicated that although MAT is expressed in the juvenile small intestine and reproductive organs, the accumulation of significant levels of MAT mRNA appears to correlate with organ maturation. These results show that MAT expression is restricted to specific organs in the mouse, where the mRNA is produced exclusively by epithelial cells, and suggest that in addition to matrix degradation and remodeling, MAT may play an important role in the differentiated function of these organs.
Mol Biol Cell 1995 Jul
PMID:The metalloproteinase matrilysin is preferentially expressed by epithelial cells in a tissue-restricted pattern in the mouse. 757 99

Adenosine triphosphate metabolism in caudal epididymis bovine spermatozoa was studied. Measurements by HPLC at appropriate time intervals of the spermatozoa content of ATP and its derivatives were carried out under different experimental conditions. In the presence of 2-D-glucose, cellular ATP was transformed almost quantitatively into ADP and AMP at a rate of 2.3 nmol/min per 10(8) cells. At the same time, ADP and AMP accumulated at a rate of 1.52 and 0.58 nmol/min per 10(8) cells, respectively. In the first 4 min, about 50% of total ATP was degraded, the AEC of the cells dropped to non-physiological values while the content of other nucleosides did not vary significantly. Inorganic P(i) content also remained unchanged. Under non-induced conditions up to 240 min, no variations of the adenylic content and of the EC value was observed. Under induced and non-induced conditions, IMP and adenosine were not detected within the spermatozoa. The lack of IMP might be ascribed either to the absence of AMP deaminase, whose activity has never been found in the spermatozoa or to the intracellular environment which down regulates the activity of the enzyme. In order to explain low levels and absence of variations of adenosine, several enzymic investigations were carried out. Adenosine kinase activity was not determined, therefore the transformation of adenosine into AMP had to be excluded. Nevertheless, enzymic activities potentially able to dephosphorylate the formed AMP are present in the spermatozoa. Our findings are indicative of the existence in the spermatozoa of acid and alkaline phosphatase and of 5'-nucleotidase membrane-derived.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 1995 Mar
PMID:Adenosine triphosphate catabolism in bovine spermatozoa. 758 34

In previous studies we identified an epididymal gene that exhibits homology to the cystatin family of cysteine protease inhibitors. The expression of this gene, termed CRES (cystatin-related epididymal and spermatogenic), was shown to be highly restricted to the proximal caput epididymal epithelium with less expression in the testis and no expression in the 24 other tissues examined. In this report, studies were carried out to examine CRES gene expression in the testis as well as to characterize the CRES protein in the testis and epididymis. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that within the testis CRES gene expression is stage-specific during spermatogenesis and is exclusively expressed by the round spermatids of Stages VII-VIII and the early elongating spermatids of Stages IX and X. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that CRES protein was transiently expressed in both the testis and epididymis. Within the testis the protein was localized to the elongating spermatids, whereas within the epididymis CRES protein was exclusively synthesized by the proximal caput epithelium and then secreted into the lumen. Surprisingly, the secreted CRES protein had completely disappeared from the epididymal lumen by the distal caput epididymidis. Western blot analysis of testicular and epididymal proteins showed that the CRES antibody specifically recognized a predominant 19 kDa CRES protein and a less abundant 14 kDa form. These observations suggest that the CRES protein performs a specialized role during sperm development and maturation.
Mol Reprod Dev 1995 May
PMID:Transient appearance of CRES protein during spermatogenesis and caput epididymal sperm maturation. 761 4

The binding of the spermatozoon to the zona pellucida is a species-specific phenomenon. We have previously shown that the binding of hamster sperm to the homologous zona pellucida involves a sperm 26-kDa glycoprotein, the P26h, originating in the epididymis. In order to establish to what extent this sperm protein is involved in the species-specific recognition of the egg's extracellular coat, we have compared the inhibitory properties of anti-P26h antibodies in a sperm-zona pellucida assay using hamster and mouse gametes. Anti-P26h IgGs inhibit, in a dose-dependent manner, gamete interactions in both species, although in a less efficient manner in the mouse than in the hamster. While anti-26kDa Fab fragments are as efficient as the intact IgG to inhibit hamster sperm-zona pellucida binding, they have no effect on mouse gamete interaction. ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemical experiments have been performed in order to characterize the mouse antigen(s) recognized by the anti-P26h antiserum. ELISA and Western blots showed that this antiserum recognized two proteins on mouse spermatozoa that are less reactive than the hamster P26h. These antigens are localized in the acrosomal region of epididymal spermatozoa of both species. These results indicate that the hamster P26H involved in zona pellucida interaction has certain unique epitopes, while others are common to the sperm of both species.
Mol Reprod Dev 1995 Jun
PMID:Comparative immunoreactivity of mouse and hamster sperm proteins recognized by an anti-P26h hamster sperm protein. 765 78

Reevaluating the assay for rat steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes in prostate and epididymis homogenates we encountered an extreme pH-dependency of the type II isozyme. The time-course of the metabolism of testosterone (T) to 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT) at acidic pH shows an initial burst when the homogenate is not brought to pH before the start of the incubation. Therefore, the rat type II 5 alpha-reductase isozyme does not follow Michaelian law under these conditions making a single time point measurement invalid. Assessing the pH-optimum of 5 alpha-reduction in both rat prostate and epididymis homogenates we found a strong substrate dependency: at high substrate concentrations a pH-optimum for the type II isozyme of pH 5.0 was found, whereas at lower concentrations pH 5.5 is optimal. Establishing Vmax (maximum velocities) and Km (affinity constants) for the 5 alpha-reduction of T at pH 4.5-8.0, the efficiency optimum Vmax/Km appeared to be pH 5.5 in both prostate and epididymis homogenates. Specifically at acidic pH these kinetic characteristics of the type II isozyme vary many-fold. Discrepancies in literature concerning 5 alpha-reductase characteristics can, at least in part, be attributed to the choice of optimal pH, or to pH shifts during the assay.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1995 Aug
PMID:Rat steroid 5 alpha-reductase kinetic characteristics: extreme pH-dependency of the type II isozyme in prostate and epididymis homogenates. 766 92

We have isolated and characterized two molecular types of guinea pig (GP) apolipoprotein D (apoD) cDNA. The sequences of cDNA clones GP APO D-20 and -38 are 100 % homologous in their putative exons 2-5, as determined by analogy within human apoD gene, but they differ totally in their putative exon 1. RNase protection assays showed the presence of both apoD RNA types 20 and 38 in cauda epididymis. Northern blot analysis revealed four polyadenylated apoD bands at 3.2, 2.7, 1.7, and 1.0 kb. Types 20 and 38 specific probes hybridized with the major 1-kb mRNA and two of the three other minor RNA transcripts, respectively. Southern blot analysis revealed that the guinea pig genome probably contains one apoD gene. Our data also demonstrated that the cauda epididymis and fallopian tubes had an apoD mRNA concentration 100-fold higher than the liver, suggesting that the apoD gene expression could be associated with the presence of steroids. The levels of the 1-kb mRNA increased in the fallopian tubes and ovaries during gestation and were lower in fetal reproductive tissues and liver than in mature animals. No positive correlation was found between apoD and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD) mRNA levels in these tissues, thus suggesting that high amounts of apoD mRNA are not necessarily associated with in situ progesterone synthesis. Taken together, our results indicate that both the guinea pig epididymis and fallopian tubes are excellent models to study the local role of apoD in steroid target tissues.
Mol Cell Endocrinol 1995 Apr 01
PMID:Guinea pig apolipoprotein D RNA diversity, and developmental and gestational modulation of mRNA levels. 766 86

An improved understanding of the expression of the cystic fibrosis gene (CFTR) will assist our approach to preventing the organ damage caused by cystic fibrosis (CF). We have studied the expression of CFTR in human fetal tissues at different gestational ages using in situ hybridization to detect CFTR mRNA. CFTR was principally expressed in less differentiated cells of endodermal origin. The highest levels were seen in specific areas of the developing pancreas, liver, gall bladder and intestine, with lower but significant levels in lung and trachea. Expression was also seen in reproductive tissues, such as epididymis and third trimester uterus and fallopian tubes, and in addition, sweat and salivary glands. No detection of CFTR mRNA was found in many other relevant tissues. The detection of CFTR transcript in these organs is consistent with the clinical manifestations of CF and the function of CFTR as a chloride channel early in development. The localization and levels of expression described have implications regarding the pathogenesis of organ damage and the potential gains that can be achieved by early therapy in the disease.
Hum Mol Genet 1993 Mar
PMID:Cell-specific localization of CFTR mRNA shows developmentally regulated expression in human fetal tissues. 768 40

We have identified a bone cell adhesion molecule, osteopontin, in the rat testis and epididymis by Northern analysis, RT-PCR, Western immunoblot analysis and immunocytochemistry. A polyclonal antibody raised against rat epididymal fluid proteins was used to detect fusion proteins produced by a testis lambda gt11 cDNA library. Sequence analysis of one of four positive cDNA clones, designated as pREP5, revealed identity with the rat osteopontin (OPN) cDNA. The partial cDNA clone pREP5 encompasses 64% of the 1,457 residues reported by Oldberg et al. (1986; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83:8819-8823). Immunoblot analysis with a monoclonal antibody against OPN detects the presence of immunoreactive polypeptides in rat testis homogenates as well as in epididymal fluid and sperm extracts. Immunocytochemical localization to the basal and adluminal region of the seminiferous tubule suggests that OPN could be a Sertoli cell product. Indeed, Northern blot analysis of testicular cell preparations demonstrated positive hybridization to Sertoli cell-enriched RNA, but not to RNA isolated from interstitial cell preparations or to isolated germ cell RNA preparations. OPN is also detected in the rat epididymis and on epididymal spermatozoa. This is the first report on the presence of OPN mRNA and protein in rat testis and epididymis and on the presence of OPN on the surface of epididymal spermatozoa. The characterization of this protein in other tissue suggests that OPN could play a role in testicular cell adhesion during spermatogenesis and/or epididymal maturation, although other potential functions in the male reproductive tract are discussed.
Mol Reprod Dev 1995 Jan
PMID:Identification of osteopontin (OPN) mRNA and protein in the rat testis and epididymis, and on sperm. 770 67


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