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)

In the epididymis, Cx43 forms gap junctions between principal and basal cells but not between adjacent principal cells. Cx30.3, 31.1, and 32 were identified in adult rat epididymis by RT-PCR, whereas Cx26 was present in young rats. Postnatal development studies indicate that Cx26 mRNA was detectable only in the caput-corpus region of the epididymis and that levels increased by fivefold during the first 4 wk postnatally, when epithelial cells differentiate, and decrease to nondetectable levels thereafter. Cx31.1 and Cx32 mRNA levels were low throughout the epididymis in young rats and began to increase in the second and third weeks postnatally, when Cx26 levels are decreasing. Both Cx26 and Cx32 were localized to the lateral plasma membranes between adjacent epithelial cells of the epididymis. Colocalization studies indicate that Cx26 and Cx32 exist either independently of one another or can colocalize along the lateral plasma membrane of epithelial cells in young rats or between principal cells in the adult rat epididymis. The presence of multiple connexins (Cxs) and their differential regulation suggest that these play different roles in epididymal development.
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PMID:Expression of multiple connexins in the rat epididymis indicates a complex regulation of gap junctional communication. 1238 89

The development and differentiation of cells involved in spermatogenesis requires highly regulated and coordinated interactions between cells. Intercellular communication, particularly via connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions, plays a critical role in the development of germ cells during fetal development and during spermatogenesis in the adult. Loss of Cx43 in the fetus results in a decreased number of germ cells, while the loss of Cx43 in the adult Sertoli cells results in complete inhibition of spermatogenesis. Connexins 26, 32, 33, 36, 45, 46 and 50 have also been localized to specific compartments of the testis in various mammals. Loss of Cx46 is associated with an increase in germ cell apoptosis and loss of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, while loss of other connexins appears to have more subtle effects within the seminiferous tubule. Outside the seminiferous tubule, the interstitial Leydig cells express connexins 36 and 45 along with Cx43; deletion of the latter connexin did not reveal it to be crucial for steroidogenesis or for the development and differentiation of Leydig cells. In contrast, loss of Cx43 from Sertoli cells results in Leydig cell hyperplasia, suggesting important cross-talk between Sertoli and Leydig cells. In the epididymis connexins 26, 30.3, Cx31.1, 32, and 43 have been identified and differentiation of the epithelium is associated with dramatic changes in their expression. Decreased expression of Cx43 results in decreased sperm motility, a function acquired by spermatozoa during epididymal transit. Clearly, intercellular gap junctional communication within the testis and epididymis represents a critical aspect of male reproductive function and fertility. The implications of this mode of intercellular communication for male fertility remains a poorly understood but important facet of male reproduction.
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PMID:Roles of connexins in testis development and spermatogenesis. 2678 Jan 17