Biomedical subjects

H J van der Molen

Publications and source records attributed to H J van der Molen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1987

Comparison of the cellular composition and steroidogenic properties of preparations of interstitial cells isolated from immature and mature rat testis.

The morphological and steroidogenic properties of preparations of interstitial cells isolated by collagenase treatment from testes of immature and mature rats have been compared. After additional purification on a Ficoll gradient, 80% of cells from mature rat testes were found to be Leydig cells; 20% were macrophages. Forty to sixty per cent of collagenase-dispersed cells isolated from immature rats were Leydig cells, 37% were mesenchymal cells and there were no macrophages. A preparation in which 90% cells were Leydig cells could be obtained from immature testes after further purification by centrifugation through a Percoll gradient. The distribution of steroidogenic enzymes through the gradient corresponded to the distribution of LH-dependent steroid production. The results indicate that the steroidogenic activity per Leydig cell from mature rats is fourfold greater than the activity in immature rat Leydig cells in control incubations or after stimulation with LH, dibutyryl cyclic AMP or in the presence of 22R-hydroxycholesterol.

Aging↗

PubMed1986

The possible role of protein kinase C and phospholipids in the regulation of steroid production in rat Leydig cells.

We have studied the possible involvement of the activation of calcium-dependent phospholipid-activated protein kinase (PK-C) in the stimulatory action of LHRH on Leydig cells, using 4 beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and phospholipase C (PL-C). LHRH agonist (LHRH-A) and PL-C had a large synergistic effect on LH-stimulated steroid production, whereas PMA inhibited the effect of LH. However, PMA always caused an increase in steroid production stimulated by various doses of dibutyryl cAMP. LH and PMA stimulated the phosphorylation of 17 and 33 kDa proteins, whereas LHRH-A and PL-C had no effect. Of all effectors used, LH had the most pronounced effect on the synthesis of 14, 27 and 30 kDa proteins. The present results suggest that the mechanisms of action of LHRH-A and PL-C on steroid production in Leydig cells may be similar and different from PMA, and may involve stimulation of a specific type of PK-C or hydrolysis of a specific pool of phospholipids.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Characterization of androgen receptors after photoaffinity labelling with [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881).

The synthetic androgen 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-[3H]methyl-4,9,11-estratrien-3-one (R1881) has been used as photoaffinity label to characterize androgen receptors in rat prostate, in a human transplantable prostatic adenocarcinoma (PC-82) and in calf uterus. Androgen receptors preparations were partially purified either via differential chromatography on 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose (rat prostate), via anion exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (rat prostate and PC-82) or via DNA-cellulose chromatography (calf uterus). Purification factors obtained with the three different methods were: 245, 75 and 40 respectively. Photolabelling of receptor preparations was performed via irradiation with a high pressure mercury lamp either before or after partial purification. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions showed that the DNA-binding form of the androgen receptor in calf uterus cytosol is a protein with a molecular mass of approx 95 kD. The covalent attachment of [3H]R1881 to the 95 kD protein could be completely suppressed by a 200-fold molar excess of dihydrotestosterone. In rat prostate cytosol an androgen receptor with a molecular mass of approx 50 kD could be photoaffinity labelled with R1881. A similar size was found for the androgen receptor in the human prostatic adenocarcinoma. Our results show that photoaffinity labelling of androgen receptors with [3H]R1881 as ligand can be applied for characterization of partial purified androgen receptor preparations.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1986

Repopulation of Leydig cells in mature rats after selective destruction of the existent Leydig cells with ethylene dimethane sulfonate is dependent on luteinizing hormone and not follicle-stimulating hormone.

After selective destruction of Leydig cells in mature rats with ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS), repopulation of Leydig cells occurs. This repopulation process was studied in normal and sterile (prenatally irradiated) rats using morphological and histochemical techniques and by measuring hormone concentrations. Three days after administration of EDS to normal rats, extensive Leydig cell degeneration had occurred, testosterone concentrations were decreased to less than 10% of the normal value, and no 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity or pregnenolone production could be detected in isolated interstitial cells. Seven days after EDS administration, no cells with the appearance of Leydig cells were observed, and steroidogenic activities were still absent. After 14 days, single or paired Leydig cells were present again in the interstitium, but only after 21 days an increase in the plasma testosterone concentration and LH-dependent pregnenolone production was observed. On day 35, numerous Leydig cells were present, and testosterone levels were restored to normal. The depletion and repopulation of Leydig cells after administration of EDS to sterile rats showed a somewhat different pattern. Three days after administration of EDS, testosterone concentrations were decreased to less than 10% of the normal value, and isolated interstitial cells showed no steroidogenic activities as in normal rats, but a small number of Leydig cells was still present. A similar picture was observed between 4 and 9 days after EDS administration. This indicates that some Leydig cells from sterile rats, unlike Leydig cells from normal rats, were resistant to EDS. The repopulation of Leydig cells in sterile rats was faster than in normal rats. After 14 days, many groups of Leydig cells were present in the interstitium, and the plasma testosterone concentration and pregnenolone production in vitro were significantly increased. Normal plasma testosterone levels were restored on day 21. Serum LH and FSH were decreased immediately after EDS administration, but during the next days a sharp rise was observed in both normal and sterile rats. The rise in LH correlated with the decrease in testosterone, and restoration of LH levels took place when testosterone levels increased. FSH levels changed similarly, but were delayed, in comparison to LH. In rats with testosterone implants that suppressed LH levels to less than 2 ng/ml and maintained normal FSH levels, ranging from 150-340 ng/ml, as well as in hypophysectomized rats, no repopulation of Leydig cells could be observed until 35 days after EDS treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1986

Effect of glucose on ATP dephosphorylation in rat spermatids.

Round spermatids were isolated from rat testes and the effects of different energy-yielding substrates on the cellular ATP content were estimated. The ATP content was constant and high (6-8 nmol/10(6) cells) during metabolism of exogenous lactate. During incubation for 30 min in the absence of exogenous lactate, there was a remarkably slow decline of the ATP content, indicating ATP production from other substrates. It was shown that this could reflect beta-oxidation of fatty acids, but not the mobilization of an endogenous pool of acetylcarnitine. Glucose metabolism in the absence of exogenous lactate resulted in a rapid decline of the ATP content. This effect of glucose was correlated with a high fructose 1,6-biphosphate content (6-7 nmol/10(6) cells) and could be prevented by the addition of lactate. It is suggested that metabolism of glucose (and also mannose and fructose, but not galactose) in the absence of exogenous lactate can result in ATP dephosphorylation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1986

Metabolism of radiolabelled energy-yielding substrates by rat Sertoli cells.

The rates of metabolism in vitro of 3H- or 14C-labelled glucose, pyruvate, glutamine and leucine by Sertoli cells from immature rats were estimated. The overall rate of glucose utilization exceeded by far the rates of oxidation of pyruvate (derived from glucose) via the citric acid cycle and glucose metabolism via the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway. This pattern of glucose metabolism was not markedly altered after stimulation of glucose metabolism by FSH. The rate of oxidation of exogenous pyruvate indicated that the energy yield from glucose metabolism by Sertoli cells could be dependent on the extracellular concentrations of pyruvate and lactate. There is no evidence that a high rate of aerobic glycolysis is of vital importance for Sertoli cells. In medium containing glucose and all amino acids, 14C-labelled glutamine and leucine were converted to 14CO2 at considerable rates. It was calculated that the oxidation of glutamine and leucine in addition to glucose and fatty acids can yield much of the required energy of Sertoli cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Non-specific esterase: a specific and useful marker enzyme for Leydig cells from mature rats.

The presence of non-specific esterase activity is correlated with different Leydig cell characteristics: 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD), human chorionic gonadotrophin binding and LH-stimulated steroid production. This indicates that esterase can be used as a marker enzyme for Leydig cells. Esterase, however, has also been used as a marker enzyme for macrophages. We have compared, using biochemical and histochemical techniques, the esterase activity of Leydig cell preparations from mature and immature rats and of preparations enriched in testicular or peritoneal macrophages. Leydig cells were identified by staining for 3 beta-HSD, and macrophages by phagocytosis of fluorescent beads. Leydig cell preparations from mature rats showed an approximately 400-fold higher esterase activity than peritoneal macrophage preparations and an approximately 50-fold higher activity than testicular macrophage preparations. Leydig cell preparations from mature rats showed a 60-fold higher esterase activity than Leydig cell preparations from immature rats. Differences in esterase activity were also demonstrated histochemically. Leydig cells from mature rats showed positive esterase staining after 30 s at room temperature. Testicular macrophages showed esterase activity after staining for 3 min. Only approximately 25% of the 3 beta-HSD-positive cells from immature rats showed esterase activity after staining for 6 min. Esterase is therefore a useful marker enzyme for Leydig cells from mature rats and can be of help in studies concerning the development of these cells.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1986

Effects of LH and an LH-releasing hormone agonist on different second messenger systems in the regulation of steroidogenesis in isolated rat Leydig cells.

The stimulation of steroid production in Leydig cells by LH is accompanied by increased cyclic AMP levels, activation of protein kinase A, increased phosphorylation of at least six phosphoproteins and requires protein synthesis. However, an LH-releasing hormone agonist (LHRH-A) can stimulate steroid production without stimulation of cyclic AMP levels. In the present study we have shown that LH action involves calcium fluxes through the plasma membrane, in addition to activation of protein kinase A. The action of LHRH-A, in contrast, does not require calcium fluxes and is not potentiated by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, indicating that cyclic AMP is not involved. Extracellular calcium is required for the action of both LH and LHRH-A. An increase in intracellular calcium concentration due to the effect of ionophore A23187 did not stimulate steroidogenesis and had deleterious effects on intracellular adenosinetriphosphate levels. LH and 4 beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, both stimulated phosphorylation of proteins of 17 000 and 33 000 mol. wt, whereas LHRH-A had no effect. However, compared with the effect of LH, PMA had a much smaller effect on steroid production, indicating that even if protein kinase C may be activated by LH its role in the regulation of steroid production may be less important than the role of protein kinase A. Action of LHRH-A does not appear to be mediated by calcium fluxes, protein kinase C activation or active protein phosphorylation.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Stimulation of steroid production in isolated rat Leydig cells by unknown factors in testicular fluid differs from the effects of LH or LH-releasing hormone.

After the addition of charcoal-treated testicular fluid to Leydig cells isolated from 22-day-old rats, pregnenolone production could be increased to a maximum of tenfold within 30 min in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular fluid, but not serum, further increased pregnenolone formation threefold when pregnenolone production by Leydig cells was stimulated by the addition of LH-releasing hormone (fourfold), LH (25-fold) and 22R-hydroxycholesterol (300-fold). The effect of testicular fluid on steroid production in the presence of 22R-hydroxycholesterol was not inhibited by cycloheximide whereas cycloheximide completely inhibited the effect of LH. It appears unlikely that steroids, lipoproteins or other plasma components constitute the stimulatory agents in testicular fluid. The biologically active principles may be locally produced factors with a molecular weight greater than 25,000. Similar biological activities could be shown in testicular lymph from boars but not in systemic lymph from boars nor in charcoal-treated bovine follicular fluid. The presumably locally produced factor(s) may amplify the effect of LH and can thus act as a local modulator(s).

Animals↗

PubMed1986

In-vitro secretion of inhibin-like activity by Sertoli cells from normal and prenatally irradiated immature rats.

The influence of in-vitro conditions on the production of inhibin by Sertoli cells from 21-day-old normal and prenatally irradiated rat testes was studied by measuring inhibin activity in culture media, using the suppression of the release of FSH from cultured rat pituitary cells. Sertoli cells secreted inhibin-like activity during at least 21 days of culture, and cells cultured at 37 degrees C produced significantly more inhibin than those cultured at 32 degrees C. The presence of fetal calf serum had no significant effect on inhibin production at 32 degrees C, while at 37 degrees C the production was decreased. The presence of ovine FSH stimulated inhibin secretion, while inhibin concentrations in Sertoli cell culture media were decreased after the addition of testosterone. Testosterone, added together with ovine FSH, suppressed inhibin secretion when compared with the levels found in the presence of FSH alone. The presence of spermatogenic cells decreased the release of inhibin. From these results it was concluded that both Sertoli cells isolated from normal immature rat testes and those from testes without spermatogenic cells can secrete inhibin-like activity in culture. A number of discrepancies with in-vivo observations was observed. Therefore, it is likely that the in-vivo situation is too complicated for direct study of the regulation of inhibin production, because of mutual interactions between the testicular compartments.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Is cAMP the obligatory second messenger in the action of lutropin on Leydig cell steroidogenesis.

Two adenylate cyclase inhibitors: 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine and 2'5'-dideoxyadenosine decreased cAMP levels in LH-stimulated immature rat Leydig cells by 20-40%, independent of the concentration of LH. Steroid production was not correlated with this decrease in cAMP, but was increased (146%). The phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate stimulated steroidogenesis and the phosphorylation of a 17 kD and a 33 kD protein, which was also stimulated by LH, whereas the inactive phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-diacetate did not have any effects. Moreover, the Ca2+-channel blocker diltiazem inhibited LH effects, but had no direct effects on the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme. It is concluded that cAMP may not be the only second messenger in LH action, and that other second messenger systems are probably also involved.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed1985

Intercellular pathway of leucine catabolism in rat spermatogenic epithelium.

A unique intercellular pathway of leucine catabolism was observed in vitro in rat spermatogenic epithelium. Sertoli cells convert leucine via transmination into 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate, and spermatocytes and spermatids reduce exogenous 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate to 2-hydroxy-4-methylvalerate, which is then released by the spermatogenic cells. The NADH-dependent reduction of 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate could be catalysed by the male-germ-cell-specific lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LDH-C4 in the cytosol of the spermatogenic cells, concomitant with the NAD+-dependent conversion of exogenous lactate into pyruvate.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Photoaffinity labelling of androgen receptors with 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-[3H]methyl-4,9,11-estratrien-3-one.

The synthetic androgen 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-[3H]methyl-4,9,11-estratrien-3-one (R1881) has been used as photoaffinity label to characterize androgen receptors in calf uterus and rat prostate. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions showed that the DNA-binding form of the androgen receptor in calf uterus cytosol is a protein with a molecular mass of 98 kD. In rat prostate cytosol an androgen receptor with a molecular mass of 46 kD could be photoaffinity labelled with R1881. The photoaffinity labelling procedure described here provides a method for studying the hormone binding domain of androgen receptors in partial purified preparations.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1985

Protein synthesis by isolated pachytene spermatocytes in the absence of Sertoli cells.

Isolated rat pachytene spermatocytes were incubated in chemically defined medium supplemented with pyruvate and lactate, which are known to be essential energy substrates for these germ cells. Protein synthesis by the isolated cells was investigated by means of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic patterns of (35S)-labeled proteins, synthesized by the pachytene spermatocytes during incubation in the presence of (35S)methionine either from 0-2 h or from 24-26 h after isolation, were almost completely identical. The patterns of newly synthesized proteins of freshly isolated spermatocytes and spermatids, however, showed several stage-specific proteins in addition to many proteins common to both spermatogenic cell types. Hence, it was concluded that a stage-specific pattern of protein synthesis can be maintained by pachytene spermatocytes during incubation for a period of 24 h in the absence of Sertoli cells but in the presence of a proper energy source.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Characterization of steroid hormone receptors with ion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography.

Androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors have been characterized with anion exchange Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) on a Mono Q column (Pharmacia). In the presence of sodium molybdate androgen receptors in cytosols from rat prostate, rat epididymis and calf uterus eluted as a single sharp peak at 0.32 M NaCl with recoveries of approx 90%. The molybdate-stabilized form of the androgen receptor from rat prostate was purified about 75-fold. The receptor containing FPLC-peak fractions sedimented in high salt (0.4 M KCl) linear sucrose gradients at 3.6 S (prostate) and at 4.6 S (epididymis and calf uterus) respectively. Multiple forms of the androgen receptor were present in cytosols from rat prostate prepared in the absence of sodium molybdate, probably due to proteolytic breakdown of the native form. Calf uterine estradiol and progesterone receptors prepared in the presence of sodium molybdate (20 mM) eluted from the Mono Q column at 0.32 M NaCl. The molybdate-stabilized forms of the oestradiol and progesterone receptors were purified approx 70-fold and 30-fold respectively. In the absence of molybdate the estradiol receptor dissociated into two major forms eluting at 0.23 M NaCl and 0.37 M NaCl. After heat induced transformation (30 min at 25 degrees C) of the estradiol receptor one major peak was eluted at 0.42 M NaCl, indicating a change in the surface charge of the estradiol receptor as a result of the 4 S to 5 S transformation. It is concluded that the FPLC anion exchange system is a powerful, fast tool for characterization and partial purification of steroid receptors. In addition this technique could be applied as a rapid procedure for the quantitative estimation of steroid receptors in small biological samples.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Are polyphosphorylated phospholipids involved in the hormonal control of cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity in tumour Leydig cells?

The possible role of LH or dcAMP induced changes in polyphosphorylated phospholipid metabolism in the regulation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity has been studied in tumour Leydig cells. Mitochondria isolated from LH-stimulated Leydig cells were 400% more active in pregnenolone production than mitochondria from control cells. Steroid production in isolated mitochondria from control cells could be stimulated only 25% by cytosol fractions from stimulated cells and 100 microM phosphatidyl inositol-4'-phosphate (PtdIns4P). Other polyphosphorylated phospholipids were either inactive or showed aspecific effects. During a preincubation period tumour cells were labelled with [32P]phosphate and steady-state labelling was obtained for the pholyphosphorylated phospholipids after 40-60 min. [32P]Phosphate incorporation in Ptd Ins4P, phosphatidyl inositol (PtdIns), phosphatidyl choline (PtChl), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PtdEtn) and cardiolipin (CL) was not affected by treatment of the Leydig cells with LH which stimulated (6-fold), or with cycloheximide which suppressed (4-fold) steroid production. A 25% increase of phosphate incorporation by LH was observed only in phosphatidyl inositol-4',5'-biphosphate (PtdIns4,5P2). 32P Incorporation in PtdIns4,5P2, PtdIns,PtdEtn and CL was stimulated by quinacrine 50 microM. Under these conditions the LH-stimulated pregnenolone production but not the 25-hydroxycholesterol dependent pregnenolone production, was completely inhibited. The results obtained with isolated mitochondria and intact cells indicate that increased levels of polyphosphorylated phospholipids are not consistently correlated with increased mitochondrial pregnenolone production. This argues against an important role of polyphosphorylated phospholipids in the hormonal regulation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity in tumour Leydig cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Changes of oestrogen receptor levels in Leydig cells from mice and rats during culture.

Two functional properties of Leydig cells in culture, i.e. LH-stimulated steroidogenesis and nuclear oestrogen receptor levels have been investigated. Leydig cells isolated from testes of immature rats and mature mice maintained their responsiveness to LH during 48-72 h of cell culture, although the mouse Leydig cells appeared to be less responsive to LH after 72 h of culture. In contrast, nuclear oestrogen receptor levels in both types of Leydig cells declined to 10-20% of the initial value after 24 h in culture. In the 48-72 h culture period nuclear oestrogen receptor levels recovered to 75% of the initial value only in Leydig cells from immature rats, whereas the nuclear oestrogen receptor levels in Leydig cells from mature mice remained low. These data demonstrate that during in vitro culture of Leydig cells, preservation of LH responsiveness does not necessarily warrant that other Leydig cell parameters e.g. nuclear oestrogen receptors also remain unaltered.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Lutropin stimulates de novo synthesis of short-lived proteins required for lutropin-dependent steroid production in tumour Leydig cells.

Continuous protein synthesis is required for the hormonal regulation of cholesterol side chain cleavage activity. A protein with a short half-life (t1/2 = 2-13 min) is believed to play an important role, but the regulation of the synthesis of this putative rapidly-turning-over protein is largely unknown. The steroid production rate in tumour Leydig cells can be increased more than 4-fold after addition of lutropin. However, steroid production by cells preincubated for 60 min with medium containing cycloheximide (89 microM) could not be stimulated when lutropin was added to the medium. Thus, the putative protein with the short half-life is apparently not derived from a stable precursor protein. Moreover, in tumour Leydig cells incubated with low concentrations of cycloheximide (0.2-0.8 microM), inhibition of steroid production was significantly greater in lutropin-stimulated cells than in control cells. These results support the hypothesis that lutropin regulates the de novo synthesis of rapidly-turning-over proteins by increasing the rate of initiation of the translation step of protein synthesis.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗