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Biomedical subjects

M D Griswold

Publications and source records attributed to M D Griswold.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Micropuncture studies of receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin in the rat epididymis.

The concentration of transferrin in fluids collected by micropuncture techniques from the rete testis and zones 1A, 2, 5A, and 6B of the rat ductus epididymidis was 44, 527, 113, and 49 ng/microliter, respectively. When changes in fluid volume were taken into account, it was found that transferrin was concentrated by the efferent ducts, whereas the amount of endogenous luminal transferrin declined from the caput to the cauda epididymidis. Using transferrin-gold as an electron dense marker, we showed that the decline in the concentration of transferrin along the epididymis could be attributed to its cumulative receptor-mediated endocytosis by the lining principal cells. No significant difference in the net receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin-gold was found between the proximal caput and corpus epididymidis in vivo.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of Sertoli cell plasma membranes and associated plasminogen activator activity.

Plasma membranes were isolated from the cultured Sertoli cells of 20-day-old rat testes by differential centrifugation and sucrose density fractionation. The distribution and purity of subcellular components was determined by marker enzyme analysis of gradient fractions. The plasma membrane fraction showed an enrichment in two plasma membrane marker enzymes, 5'-nucleotidase and ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase-specific activities, of 9- and 23-fold, respectively. Forty-two percent and 52% of the total cellular 5'-nucleotidase and ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase activities, respectively, were found in the membrane fraction. The protein yield of plasma membrane was approximately 6% of the total cellular protein. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare [35S] methionine- and [3H] glucosamine-labeled membrane proteins. The incorporation of [35S] methionine and [3H] glucosamine was increased in several proteins when the cultured Sertoli cells were treated with follicle-stimulating hormone, insulin, retinol, and testosterone. Isolated Sertoli cell membranes contained a membrane-associated form of plasminogen activator. Analysis of this plasminogen activator demonstrated that the membrane-associated enzyme existed primarily as a single 38,000-40,000-Mr form.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Purification and characterization of testicular transferrin secreted by rat Sertoli cells.

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete a transferrin-like protein (testicular transferrin) [Skinner & Griswold (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1923-1925]. The purpose of the present study was to purify and characterize testicular transferrin and to compare it with serum transferrin. Testicular transferrin was obtained from the medium of cultured rat Sertoli cells, whereas serum transferrin was obtained from rat serum. Both proteins were purified with the use of phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography and transferrin immunoaffinity chromatography. The purified proteins were shown to have similar molecular masses (75 000 Da) and amino acid compositions. The pattern of tryptic peptides from testicular and serum transferrin were found to be essentially the same when analysed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The carbohydrate composition of both transferrins was determined by several colorimetric assays and g.l.c. Testicular transferrin, isolated from cell culture medium, had increased amounts of glucose, galactose and glucosamine. Serum transferrin that was incubated with cell culture medium also had a large amount of associated glucose. The results show that testicular transferrin and serum transferrin are structurally very similar and are possibly products of the same gene expressed in two different tissues, the testis and liver. However, the amount of carbohydrate associated with these two proteins is different.

Amino Acids↗

Localization of transferrin and transferrin receptors in rat testes.

One of the major proteins secreted by rat Sertoli cells in culture is a transferrin-like protein (Skinner and Griswold, 1980). The purpose of this study was to quantitate the amount of testicular transferrin in fluids isolated from the testis by the use of a radioimmunoassay and to determine the location of transferrin and transferrin receptors in the testis by indirect immunofluorescence. Seminiferous tubule fluid, rete testis fluid, and testicular lymph were collected from rat testes and were found to contain 141 micrograms, 47 micrograms and 3.7 mg transferrin per ml of fluid, respectively. Serum was found to contain 3.7 mg/ml transferrin. Paraffin sections of rat testis were incubated with rabbit anti-rat transferrin, biotinylated goat anti-rabbit and fluorescein-conjugated avidin. Immunoreactive transferrin was thus localized on the proacrosome and nuclear cap of developing spermatids. Late spermatids showed transferrin over the entire region of the head but mature testicular spermatozoa exhibited little fluorescence. The interstitial tissue between seminiferous tubules fluoresced brightly, indicating a large amount of transferrin in this area. By pretreating sections with rat transferrin, the receptor for the protein was localized on and in spermatocytes and early round spermatids. Dividing germ cells were brightly fluorescent.

Animals↗

A sulfated glycoprotein synthesized by Sertoli cells and by epididymal cells is a component of the sperm membrane.

We report here the purification, partial characterization and immunofluorescent localization of a dimeric acidic glycoprotein (DAG-protein) secreted by cultures of Sertoli cells of rat testes. Partially purified protein was obtained after chromatography over Sepharose 4B under conditions which favored a soluble, nonaggregated form of the protein. Rechromatography over the same column under reducing conditions yielded very pure monomers of 41,000 daltons and 29,000 daltons. Antibodies were prepared against the mixed monomers and used to immunoprecipitate proteins in spent medium from cultures incubated with [35S] methionine, 35SO4 = or tunicamycin. DAG-protein and another protein (Band 4, 70,000 daltons) were coprecipitated by the antiserum and all contained 35SO4 = in their structures. It was shown by Western blotting that the antiserum cross-reacted very weakly with Band 4 protein. The DAG-protein polypeptides secreted in the presence of tunicamycin were assumed to lack N-glycosylation and exhibited apparent molecular weights of 27,000 and 21,000 daltons. Immunoprecipitations of media from organ cultures of testis and epididymis yielded DAG-protein of slightly lower molecular weight than the protein secreted in Sertoli cell cultures. Indirect immunofluorescence of DAG-protein in paraffin sections of testis and epididymis revealed that the protein was concentrated in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, on the stereocilia of epididymal principal cells, in the cytoplasm of epididymal halo cells, and was associated with late spermatids and mature sperm. Sperm were specifically labeled on the acrosome, at the neck, and on the endpiece of the tail. No enzymatic or structural function has been ascribed to DAG-protein as yet, but the protein must play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis because it is secreted by both the testis and epididymis and becomes an integral component of sperm.

Animals↗

Fluorographic detection of radioactivity in polyacrylamide gels with 2,5-diphenyloxazole in acetic acid and its comparison with existing procedures.

A fluorographic procedure was optimized which utilized acetic acid as the solvent for 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO). This procedure was then compared with existing fluorographic procedures which utilize PPO in dimethyl sulphoxide or sodium salicylate in water, and a commercially available fluorographic solution. En3Hance (New England Nuclear Corp.). A comparison of the four methods revealed that all of the procedures resulted in essentially the same efficiency of radioactivity detection. The acetic acid/PPO procedure was found to have several technical advantages. There is no need to pre-fix proteins in gels, and either agarose or acrylamide gels can be used. The acetic acid/PPO procedure was found to be a simple, sensitive and efficient alternative fluorographic method.

Acetates↗

Multiplication stimulating activity (MSA) can substitute for insulin to stimulate the secretion of testicular transferrin by cultured Sertoli cells.

Both MSA and insulin were found to stimulate transferrin production in cultured Sertoli cells to the same extent in the absence or presence of follitropin, testosterone, or retinol. Sertoli cells were responsive to 30-fold lower concentrations of MSA than of insulin. MSA and insulin together stimulated transferrin secretion to the same extent as either hormone alone. These results, and what is presently understood about the relationship of MSA and insulin, suggest that insulin can substitute for the action of an MSA-like peptide in the stimulation of testicular transferrin secretion by Sertoli cells.

Animals↗

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete a ceruloplasmin-like protein.

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete a ceruloplasmin-like protein (testicular ceruloplasmin) that is immunologically similar to serum ceruloplasmin. Rat serum ceruloplasmin was purified and an antiserum was produced to the purified protein which specifically immunoprecipitated a 130,000 dalton protein from rat serum. This ceruloplasmin antiserum was found to also immunoprecipitate a 130,000 dalton protein synthesized and secreted by Sertoli cells. The presence of a protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), was required during the immunoprecipitation procedure to prevent the proteolytic degradation of testicular ceruloplasmin. Immunoprecipitation of proteins secreted by Sertoli cells with an antiserum to rat serum proteins was found to precipitate two proteins, testicular ceruloplasmin and testicular transferrin.

Animals↗

Analysis of Sertoli cell-secreted proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

The [35S]methionine-labeled proteins secreted from cultured Sertoli cells were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Major polypeptides which were resolved by this procedure were designated by number and further analyzed. Many of these major polypeptides appeared as a series of spots which corresponded to charge isomers. Two of these polypeptides (5 and 6) were shown to be acidic, glycosylated and to comprise the subunits of a dimeric protein of molecular weight 70,000. Some of the polypeptides (4a and 5a) were shown to be secreted from testicular peritubular cells which contaminated the Sertoli cell cultures. However, many of the polypeptides (1,2,3,4,5,5b and 6) were specifically secreted from the Sertoli cells. The fluorogram of the secreted polypeptides obtained from cultured Sertoli cells from 20- or 60-day-old rats were similar to each other but differed from the pattern of polypeptides which were secreted from cultures of Sertoli cells from 10-day-old rats. Polypeptide 3 was identified by immunoprecipitation as testicular transferrin and the synthesis of polypeptide 3 was stimulated when the Sertoli cells were cultured in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin, testosterone and retinol.

Animals↗

Insulin stimulates the incorporation of 32Pi into ribonucleic acid in cultured sertoli cells.

Chronic treatment of cultured Sertoli cells with insulin, FSH, or testosterone does not affect the number of attached cells or the amount of total RNA or poly(A)+ RNA per culture dish. However, Sertoli cells cultured in the presence of insulin have a nearly 2-fold stimulated incorporation of 32Pi into poly(A)+ RNA. The other hormone treatments did not induce any stimulation over control values. The t1/2 of the total poly(A)+ RNA was determined in pulse-chase experiments. None of the hormone treatments affected the t1/2 (16 h) of the total poly(A)+ RNA. The incorporation of [3H]uridine and 32Pi into the total nucleotide pools and into some individual nucleotides was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography analysis of acid-soluble extracts. Insulin-treated cells had approximately a 1.5-fold increased specific activity of [3H]uridine or 32Pi into the total nucleotide pool and in ATP, GTP, and UTP pools. Insulin apparently stimulates the uptake of phosphorylation (or both) of free nucleosides.

Animals↗

Primary culture of supporting cells from bovine testes.

Supporting cells from 6- to 8-wk-old bovine calf testes were maintained in cell culture and were characterized morphologically and biochemically. Light and electron microscopy showed that the cultures consisted principally of supporting cells that were identified as epithelial cells with nucleolar vesicles. The bovine supporting cells in culture responded to follicle stimulating hormone with increased cAMP synthesis and enhanced incorporation of [3H]leucine into secreted proteins. No androgen binding protein could be detected in the medium.

Androgens↗

Retinol binding protein in rat testicular cells.

Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) was identified in the cytosols of cultured Sertoli cells and peritubular cells from the testes of 20-day-old rats. CRBP was not detected in spermatids or spermatocytes obtained from the testes of 60-day-old rats. Cultured Sertoli cells and peritubular cells contained up to a 5-fold enrichment of CRBP/mg protein compared to whole testis homogenates. FSH- or FSH + testosterone-treated cultures of Sertoli cells showed a 60% increase in the specific activity of CRBP when compared to untreated cultures.

Animals↗

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete transferrin-like protein.

One of the major proteins secreted by Sertoli cells (Band 3) has a molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels which corresponds to rat serum transferrin. The preparation of Sertoli cell-secreted proteins contains an iron-binding protein with electrophoretic properties on native polyacrylamide gels similar to serum transferrin. Antibodies against Sertoli cell-secreted proteins contain a component which will immunoprecipitate serum transferrin. Antibodies to serum transferrin cross-react with and immunoprecipitate a major component (Band 3) of [35S]-methionine-labeled Sertoli cell-secreted proteins. We propose that testicular transferrin is a major secretory product of Sertoli cells in culture. In addition to transferrin, antiserum to rat serum proteins will immunoprecipitate one other polypeptide from preparations of Sertoli cell-secreted proteins.

Animals↗

Actions of insulin and vitamin A on Sertoli cells.

The synthesis of androgen-binding protein by cultured Sertoli cells is increased by insulin, retinol, follitropin and testosterone. Only follitropin will stimulate an increase in cyclic AMP in these cells, yet each agent individually increased the synthesis of androgen-binding protein in short-term cultures. For long-term culture of Sertoli cells follitropin, testosterone, insulin, and retinol appeared to act synergistically to prolong the ability of the cells to secrete androgen-binding protein. These are the first reported results which suggest an action of insulin and retinol directly on Sertoli cells even though the importance of both factors in male reproduction is known.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Prolonged ABP synthesis by Sertoli cells cultured in defined medium.

Sertoli cells from 20 day old rats are stimulated to secrete ABP in cultured by a number of hormones and Vitamin A. Maximum ABP secretion in prolonged serum-free culture is seen when FSH, Testosterone, Insulin and Retinol are added to the medium. The plating conditions and type of medium used also affect the total ABP secretion. The decline of ABP secreted into medium by hormone stimulated cultures in prolonged incubations correlates with the detachment of the cells from the culture flask.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗