Vimentin expression in spermatogenic and Sertoli cells is stage-related in rat seminiferous epithelium.
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were used in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy to localize vimentin intermediate filaments in the rat seminiferous epithelium. During stages XII-V of the epithelial cycle, the Sertoli cells showed a reaction in the perinuclear area and vimentin-positive extensions, projecting toward the developing spermatid bundles, were also seen. During stages VI-XI these extensions were small and narrow. Monoclonal antibody to vimentin gave a granular reaction in the peripheral region of the flagella of steps 16-19 spermatids. Western blotting indicated a specific reaction with a Mr 58,000 polypeptide in isolated seminiferous tubules and in epididymal spermatozoa. Our results suggest that vimentin filaments in Sertoli cells may be regulated cyclically in a stage-dependent manner. The granular reaction in the spermatid flagellum with the monoclonal antibody suggests that vimentin in germ cells is organized differently from that in somatic Sertoli cells.
Mali
P
P
Department of Anatomy, University of Turku, Finland.
Virtanen
I
I
Parvinen
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014746:Vimentin