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Expression of claudin-1 and -11 in immature and mature pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) testes
1Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Claudin-1 and claudin-11 tight junction proteins are expressed in pheasant testes. Their levels and locations change during development, suggesting roles in the blood-testis barrier formation and function.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Zoology
Background:
- Tight junctions (TJs) are crucial for barrier formation in epithelial and endothelial tissues.
- Claudins are a major protein family forming the paracellular barrier of TJs.
- The blood-testis barrier (BTB) in mammals is a specialized TJ barrier essential for spermatogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of claudin-1 and claudin-11 in immature and adult pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) testes.
- To determine the role of these claudins in the development and function of the avian BTB.
- To explore the influence of testosterone on claudin-11 expression.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of claudin-1 and claudin-11 mRNA and protein expression using techniques like RT-PCR and Western blotting.
- Immunohistochemical localization of claudin-1 and claudin-11 proteins within the pheasant testis.
- Testis organ culture and primary Sertoli cell culture to assess the effect of testosterone.
Main Results:
- Claudin-1 mRNA and protein levels were higher in immature testes than in adult testes.
- Claudin-11 mRNA and protein levels increased with testicular maturation.
- Claudin-1 and -11 were localized to Sertoli cell contacts, blood vessels, and the basal part of the seminiferous epithelium, suggesting roles in BTB structure and cell adhesion.
- Testosterone treatment increased claudin-11 mRNA expression in cultured pheasant testis and Sertoli cells.
Conclusions:
- Claudin-1 and -11 are expressed in the pheasant testis and their expression patterns change during development.
- These claudins are likely important structural components of the avian BTB and play roles in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion.
- Androgens, specifically testosterone, appear to positively regulate claudin-11 gene expression in pheasant Sertoli cells.
Abstract:
The expression of claudin-1 and -11, tight junctions (TJs) proteins was examined in immature and adult pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) testes. Claudin-1 and -11 cDNA were highly similar to those of human, mice, and chicken. Claudin-1 mRNA and protein (21 kDa) levels in immature testes were higher than those of adult testis. In immature testes until 6 weeks of age, Claudin-1 was found at contacts between adjacent Sertoli cells and between Sertoli cells and germ cells. In adult testis, Claudin-1 was found in early spermatocytes migrating the blood testis barrier (BTB). Blood vessels were positive for claudin-1. Claudin-11 mRNA and protein (21 kDa) increased during adulthood development of testis. In immature testis, Claudin-11 was found in apicolateral contacts between adjacent Sertoli cells, indicating its involvement in cell adhesion in immature testis. In adult testis, strong wavy Claudin-11 immunoreactivity was parallel to basal lamina at the basal part of seminiferous epithelium, indicating that Claudin-11 at the inter-Sertoli TJs may act as a structural element of the BTB. Weak Claudin-1 and -11 immunoreactivity at contacts between Sertoli cells to elongating/elongated spermatids, meiotic germ cells, and basal lamina suggests that they also participate in the cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion in pheasant testis. Testosterone increased claudin-11 mRNA in testis organ culture and Sertoli cell primary culture, suggesting positive regulation of claudin-11 gene by androgen in Sertoli cells of pheasant testis. This is the first report on the claudins expression at BTB in avian testis.
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