Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P56851 (epididymal)
 11,273 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K(++) (K(ATP)) channels are poorly characterized in the reproductive tract. The present study was designed to evaluate the putative expression of K(ATP) channel subunits (Kir6.x and SURx) in the epididymis from different mammalian species. Immunohistochemical, Western blot, and RT-PCR techniques were used. A positive immunostaining for Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR2 (ABCC9) was observed by immunoenzymatic and immunofluorescent approaches in the principal epithelial cells throughout all regions of the rat and mouse epididymis. Double labeling with anti-aquaporin 9 (AQP9) and anti-Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) confirmed their colocalization in the principal cells. No immunostaining could be demonstrated for Kir6.1 (KCNJ8) and SUR1 (ABCC8) subunits. Under higher magnification, the immunostaining for Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) exhibited a cytoplasmic labeling that was more intense at the level of the Golgi apparatus along the whole epididymis. A similar pattern was observed for SUR2 (ABCC9), although in the latter case, the Golgi labeling appeared to be region specific. Spermatozoa in epididymal tubules from rodents also immunostained for Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR2 (ABCC9). Western blot analysis of epididymal total protein and crude membrane extracts from adult and prepubertal rats confirmed the presence of Kir6.2 (KCNJ11). SUR2 (ABCC9) protein expression was detected in adult epididymal extracts. Furthermore, RT-PCR established the presence of Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR2 (ABCC9) mRNA in prepubertal and adult mouse epididymis. Indirect immunofluorescence also documented the presence of Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR2 (ABCC9) in the epididymal epithelium, as well as in spermatozoa, of canine, feline, bovine, and human origin. These data demonstrate the presence of the K(ATP) channel subunits, Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR2 (ABCC9), in epididymal epithelial cells and spermatozoa from several mammalian species. Although their physiological roles need to be fully characterized, it is tempting to propose that such types of K(++) channels might be involved in protein secretion and fluid-electrolyte transport occurring along the epididymal epithelium, leading to spermatozoa maturation.
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PMID:KATP channel subunits are expressed in the epididymal epithelium in several mammalian species. 1843 29

The potential adverse reproductive effects, with emphasis on the epididymis, of in utero and lactational exposure to 100 mg/kg/d di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in adult male rat offspring were investigated. The fetal testis histopathology was also determined. The selected endpoints included reproductive organ weights, sperm motility and morphology, sperm epididymal transit time, sperm quantity in the testis and epididymis, hormonal status, fetal testis and epididymal histopathology and stereology, and androgen receptor (AR), aquaporin 9 (AQP9), and Ki-67 immunoreactivities. Pregnant females were divided into two groups: control (C) and treated (T). The treated females received DBP (100 mg/kg/d, by gavage) from gestation day (GD) 12 to postnatal day (PND) 21, while control dams received the vehicle. Some pregnant dams were killed by decapitation on GD20, and testes from male fetuses were collected for histopathogy. Male rats from other dams were killed at PND 90. Fetal testes from treated group showed Leydig-cell clusters, presence of multinucleated germinative cells, and increase of the interstitial component. Testosterone levels and reproductive organ weights were similar between the treated and control adult groups. DBP treatment did not markedly affect relative proportions of epithelial, stromal, or luminal compartments in the epididymis; sperm counts in the testis and epididymis; sperm transit time; or sperm morphology and motility in adult rats. The AR and AQP9 immunoreactivities and proliferation index were similar for the two groups. These results showed that fetal testes were affected by DBP as evidenced by testicular histopathologic alterations, but reproductive parameters and epididymal structure/function were not significantly altered in the adult animals exposed to 100 mg/kg DBP in utero and during lactation.
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PMID:Functional and morphological reproductive aspects in male rats exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in utero and during lactation. 2056 31

In the epididymis, epithelial cells work in a concerted manner to create a luminal environment for sperm maturation, transport, and storage. However, the cell functions may be affected by anthropogenic factors, causing negative impacts on male fertility. In our study, we describe the pattern of protein expression in the epithelium and luminal fluid from epididymis of Oligoryzomys nigripes, a South American sigmodontine rodent whose reproductive biology has been little studied. Nine animals were captured from a preserved area of Atlantic Forest, where the exposure to anthropogenic influences is minimal. Epididymides were processed for histological analysis under light and epifluorescence microscopy, in which we used cell-specific markers aquaporin 9 (AQP9), vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5). Other samples were assessed for protein expression using shotgun proteomics. Similar to laboratory rodents, principal cells expressed AQP9 in their stereocilia. Basal cells, identified by KRT5 labeling, presented lateral body projections and a few axiopodia going toward the lumen. Clear cells expressed V-ATPase in their sub-apical vesicles and microplicae, and showed different shapes along the duct. Shotgun proteomics detected 51 proteins from epididymal supernatant. Most of them have been previously described in other species, indicating that they are well conserved. Twenty-three proteins detected in O. nigripes have not been described in epididymis from other South American sigmodontine rodents, confirming that the secretion pattern is species-specific. Our findings in O. nigripes from a protected area may help to create a baseline for studies investigating the effects of anthropogenic factors on functionality of the epididymal epithelium.
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PMID:Pattern of protein expression in the epididymis of Oligoryzomys nigripes (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae). 2911 27