The mature form of interleukin-1 alpha is constitutively expressed in immature male germ cells from rat.
In the present study we show that immature germ cells from rat testis contain both interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) mRNA and immunoreactive proteins. In contrast, in primary cultures of Sertoli cells and peritubular cells. IL-1 alpha mRNA and immunoreactive protein were below the levels of detection. Immunoblots of lysates from these germ cells showed the presence of strong 17 kDa bands (mature forms of IL-1 alpha) and a much weaker 33 kDa band (precursor form). The finding of cell-associated mature forms of IL-1 alpha in germ cells indicates that immature male germ cells are able to process IL-1 alpha independent of its secretion. Data from isolated cell fractions, as well as from whole testis tissue from rats of various ages, indicate that IL-1 alpha expression takes place in late pachytene spermatocytes and early round spermatids. Whether IL-1 alpha plays a role intracellularly in germ cells or exerts its effects on neighboring Sertoli cells remains to be shown.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
T B
TB
Haugen
B F
BF
Landmark
G M
GM
Josefsen
V
V
Hansson
A
A
Högset
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013087:Spermatids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger