ENDOTHELIN STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE SECRETION BY RAT LEYDIG CELLS

1993 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. R1-R4 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Conte ◽  
P. Questino ◽  
S. Fillo ◽  
M. Nordio ◽  
A. Isidori ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of endothelin (ET) on rat testicular steroidogenesis in vitro and the involvement of prostaglandins (PG) and extracellular calcium in its mechanism of action. To this purpose we examined the effects of ET-1 and ET-3 on basal testosterone secretion, the influence of ET-1 on PGE2, release, the interaction of ET-1 and ET-3 with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and the interference of indomethacin (an inhibitor of cycloxygenase) and nifedipine (a calcium-channel blocker) in purified rat Leydig cells. The data indicate that ET-1 and ET-3 stimulate basal and hCG-induced testosterone production although the effects of ET-3 were less marked. In addition, a concomitant release of PGE2, was observed after exposure to ET-1. A sinergistic interaction between ET-1 and hCG in stimulating testicular steroidogenesis was revealed. Indomethacin was ineffective in modifying ET-1 evoked testosterone output, while in the presence of nifedipine the stimulatory effect of ET-1 was completely abolished. Since it has been shown by others that ET-1 is produced by rat Sertoli cells and specific binding sites are present in Leydig cells, the results of our study indicate that such a peptide may be regarded as a new paracrine factor able to influence steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. The action of ET-1 requires the activity of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, while PGE2 activation is not essential for its steroidogenic effect.

1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (2) ◽  
pp. G436-G441 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bianchi ◽  
G. Thibault ◽  
A. De Lean ◽  
J. Genest ◽  
M. Cantin

We have studied the localization and the characterization of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) binding sites by radioautographic techniques. Quantitative in vitro radioautography with a computerized microdensitometer demonstrated the presence of high-affinity, low-capacity 125I-ANF-(99-126) binding sites (Kd, 48 pM; Bmax, 63 fmol/mg protein) mainly in the villi of 20-microns slide-mounted transverse sections of the rat jejunum. Competition curves showed 50% inhibitory concentrations of 55 and 1,560 pM for ANF-(99-126) and ANF-(103-123), respectively. In vivo electron microscope radioautography showed that 80% of the silver grains were localized on the lamina propria fibroblast-like cells, 18% on mature enterocytes, and 2% on capillaries. Bradykinin and adrenocorticotropin did not compete with ANF binding. These results demonstrate that ANF binding sites in the rat jejunum possess the pharmacological characteristics of functional ANF receptors encountered in other rat tissues, and ultrastructural radioautographs show their cellular distribution. Taken together, these results demonstrate the presence and the localization of specific binding sites for ANF in the jejunal villi of the rat small intestine.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hudson de Sousa Buck ◽  
Brice Ongali ◽  
Gaétan Thibault ◽  
Charles J Lindsey ◽  
Réjean Couture

Kinins have been elected to the status of central neuromediators. Their effects are mediated through the activation of two G-protein-coupled receptors, denoted B1 and B2. Functional and binding studies suggested that B1 and B2 receptors are upregulated in the medulla and spinal cord of hypertensive and diabetic rats. The aim of this study was to localize and quantify kinin receptors in post-mortem human medulla obtained from normotensive, hypertensive, and diabetic subjects, using in vitro receptor autoradiography with the radioligands [125I]HPP-HOE140 (B2 receptor) and [125I]HPP[des-Arg10]-HOE140 (B1 receptor). Data showed specific binding sites for B2 receptor (0.4–1.5 fmol/mg tissue) in 11 medullary nuclei from 4 control specimens (paratrigeminal > ambiguus > cuneate, gelatinous layer of the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus > caudal and interpolar spinal trigeminal, external cuneate, solitary tract > hypoglossal > gracile > inferior olivary nuclei). Increased density of B2 receptor binding sites was observed in seven medullary nuclei of four hypertensive specimens (paratrigeminal > external cuneate > interpolar and caudal spinal trigeminal, gracile, inferior olivary > hypoglossal nuclei). B2 receptor binding sites were seemingly increased in the same medullary nuclei of two diabetic specimens. Specific binding sites for B1 receptor (1.05 and 1.36 fmol/mg tissue) were seen only in the inferior olivary nucleus in two out of the ten studied specimens. The present results support a putative role for kinins in the regulation of autonomic, nociceptive, and motor functions at the level of the human medulla. Evidence is also provided that B2 receptors are upregulated in medullary cardiovascular centers of subjects afflicted of cardiovascular diseases.Key words: bradykinin, hypertension, diabetes, human brain.


1982 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. GALE ◽  
J. ST J. WAKEFIELD ◽  
H. C. FORD

A rapid method for preparing Leydig cells from rat testes is described. An interstitial cell suspension, prepared by collagenase treatment of decapsulated testes, was centrifuged for 10 min over a cushion of 60% (v/v) Percoll to remove red blood cells, and then centrifuged for 20 min in a 0–60% linear density gradient of Percoll. Seventy-four per cent of the cells present in that fraction of the gradient comprising 35–50% Percoll were Leydig cells; the yield from each testis was about 1·5 × 106 cells. The Leydig cells appeared viable, excluded Trypan blue, possessed high-affinity binding sites for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and synthesized increased quantities of testosterone in response to hCG. The cells could be stored overnight in 20% (v/v) glycerol at −20 °C, with only minimal effect on the specific activities of a number of enzymes used as markers of subcellular components. Testosterone production in vitro by the cells after storage for 20 h was greater than that of hCG-stimulated fresh cells and was not further increased by hCG.


1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming D. Wong ◽  
A. F. Burton

The in vitro binding of radioactive steroids to components of mouse placental nuclei and cytoplasm was investigated using Sephadex or charcoal to remove unbound steroid. Specificity was indicated in competition experiments using excess unlabelled competing steroids. Only the active glucocorticoids formed complexes that could be isolated from the nucleus. The binding properties of the cytoplasmic steroid–receptor complex were studied. From the time course of binding the complex was shown to be more stable at 0° than at 37°, and the distribution of receptors in the cytosol appeared to be homogeneous. The complex was labile to heat and to proteolytic digestion but did not appear to be affected by nucleases or sulfhydryl reagents. Kinetic analysis revealed the presence of high affinity specific binding sites with a dissociation constant of 17.5 nM and a receptor site concentration of 0.26 pmol/mg protein. The corticosterone isolated from nuclear complexes and dexamethasone from cytoplasmic complexes were identified by chromatography and by cocrystallization as the unchanged steroid in each case.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (16) ◽  
pp. 8914-8926
Author(s):  
Erin E Cutts ◽  
J Barry Egan ◽  
Ian B Dodd ◽  
Keith E Shearwin

Abstract The Apl protein of bacteriophage 186 functions both as an excisionase and as a transcriptional regulator; binding to the phage attachment site (att), and also between the major early phage promoters (pR-pL). Like other recombination directionality factors (RDFs), Apl binding sites are direct repeats spaced one DNA helix turn apart. Here, we use in vitro binding studies with purified Apl and pR-pL DNA to show that Apl binds to multiple sites with high cooperativity, bends the DNA and spreads from specific binding sites into adjacent non-specific DNA; features that are shared with other RDFs. By analysing Apl's repression of pR and pL, and the effect of operator mutants in vivo with a simple mathematical model, we were able to extract estimates of binding energies for single specific and non-specific sites and for Apl cooperativity, revealing that Apl monomers bind to DNA with low sequence specificity but with strong cooperativity between immediate neighbours. This model fit was then independently validated with in vitro data. The model we employed here is a simple but powerful tool that enabled better understanding of the balance between binding affinity and cooperativity required for RDF function. A modelling approach such as this is broadly applicable to other systems.


1982 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukio Hirata ◽  
Satoru Sueoka ◽  
Masahito Uchihashi ◽  
Yoshio Yoshimoto ◽  
Takuo Fujita ◽  
...  

Abstract. Using human trophoblastic (SCH) and non-trophoblastic (HeLa S3) tumour cell lines, specific binding sites for epidermal growth factor (EGF), a potent stimulator of growth in many tissues, and its effect on secretion of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and/ or its subunits were compared between these two tumour cells. Both SCH and HeLa S3 cells possessed two populations of specific binding sites for 125I-labelled EGF: the high affinity (Kd ∼10−10m) and the low affinity (Kd ∼ 7 × 10−10 m) system. Tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), a tumour promotor, showed a potent competitor of labelled tracer binding to its receptor sites in both cell lines. EGF stimulated both hCG-α and hCG and/or hCG-β secretion in a dose-responsive manner from SCH cells, whereas it had no effect on hCG-α secretion from HeLa S3 cells. In contrast, dibutyryl cyclic AMP plus theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, enhanced hCG-α secretion from both cells, while TPA had no effect in either cells. These data suggest that EGF may play a physiological role in hCG secretion from trophoblastic tissues and that the mechanism by which hCG and/or its subunits are secreted may differ between trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic tumour cells.


1989 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Davenport ◽  
Derek J. Nunez ◽  
Morris J. Brown

1. Quantitative receptor autoradiography in vitro has been used to determine the distribution and density of specific binding sites for 125I-labelled endothelin-1 in human, porcine and rat kidneys. Immunocytochemistry was used to visualize von Willebrand factor-positive endothelial cells in adjacent sections to those used for autoradiography. 2. High levels of specific binding were detected in the vasa recta and papilla of all three species with lower levels in the medulla and cortex. 3. A major difference between the species was observed within the glomeruli, where high levels of binding were found in the rat but no detectable binding sites in pig or man.


2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-250
Author(s):  
Leny Yuanita

The aim of the study is to find iron availability and binding pattern by dietary fiber macromolecule on combination of acidity and length of boiling time, through Kads and Keff, boiling procees at the level of pH 4 and 7 with boiling time at 0 (raw), 5, 15, and 25 minutes. Iron availability and adsorption pattern were analyzed through Miller's in-vitro and Langmuir-Scatchard graph methods. The results of the study showed: (1) the highest iron availability occurs at raw-pH4 treatment; (2) decreasing pH and increasing boiling time decrease Kads,Keff, percent iron bound, and increase iron availability; (3) iron binding pattern by dietary fiber macromolecules through formation of complex compound was more prominent than physical adsorption, involving two types of specific binding sites, one of which showed a higher affinity.   Keywords: iron availability, adsorption pattern, dietary fiber, acidity (pH), boiling time


1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-30
Author(s):  
T. S. Saatov ◽  
F. Ya. Gulyamova ◽  
G. U. Usmanova

Besides intracellular receptors of thyroid hormones, specific binding sites for T3 and T4 were detected on plasma membranes (PM) of some cells and a relationship between membrane reception .and lipid composition of membranes shown. The parameters of 125I-T4 binding to highly purified PM of hepatic and cerebral cells of rats were studied. The hepatic and cerebral cellular membranes were found to contain two sites of hormone binding each, one of these sites being characterized by a high affinity and low capacity, and the other by low affinity and a higher binding capacity. The association constant of highly affine site of hepatocyte membranes was found to be higher than that of brain cell membranes. T4 membranous receptors may be significant in the process of cell “recognition" by the hormone. In vivo and in vitro experiments with 125I-T4 and 14C-labeled thyroxin in ganglioside fractions showed appreciable binding of the hormone to Gm3 fraction, this evidently pointing to participation of this, ganglioside in T4 interaction with membrane receptor. It is possible that gangliosides situated on membranous surface are components of or function as receptors.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document