The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) beta- and common alpha-subunits are expressed in mouse testis, as determined in wild-type mice and those transgenic for the FSH beta-subunit/herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase fusion gene.
Testicular expression of the endogenous FSH beta-subunit (FSH beta) and common alpha-subunit (C alpha) genes, as well as a Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (tk) transgene, driven by a 2.3-kilobase fragment of the bovine GSH beta promoter, were studied at messenger RNA and protein level in normal and transgenic mice. A major 3.8-kb species of FSH beta messenger RNA was demonstrated i the normal mouse testis by Northern hybridization. This was longer than the main 1.7-kb FSH beta transcript detected in the pituitary gland. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, followed by Southern hybridization, demonstrated FSH beta and tk expression in the pituitary gland and gonads of adult normal and transgenic mice, respectively. The C alpha expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the pituitary gland and testis. During development, testicular transcription of the FSH beta and tk genes was initiated simultaneously a few days after birth. Immunocytochemistry of adult testes showed stage-specific positive reaction with FSH beta, C alpha, and tk antisera in the pachytene spermatocytes and type B spermatogonia, but not in Sertoli cells. Positive reaction with these antisera was also seen in the interstitial tissue. These results demonstrate testicular expression of the endogenous FSH subunit genes and confirm that the testicular expression of the FSH beta /tk transgene reflects or its subunits play a paracrine or autocrine role in the regulation of testicular function.
Markkula
M
M
Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland.
Hämäläinen
T
T
Loune
E
E
Huhtaniemi
I
I
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002417:Cattle; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D015870:Gene Expression; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics*
D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase