Differential expression of glutathione S-transferase isoforms in compartments of the testis and segments of the epididymis of the rat.
Specific cell types of the mammalian testes demonstrate varying susceptibility to toxic insult by chemical agents. The mammalian testis is divided into two major compartments: seminiferous tubules, the site of spermatogenesis, and interstitium, which contains the Leydig cells. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression was examined in isolated compartments of the rat testis and in segments of the epididymis. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of GST class alpha, mu, and pi bands in each of the isolated compartments of the testis, and HPLC analysis of monomeric isoforms provided evidence for differential expression of multiple GST isoforms in testicular compartments. All major isoforms (e.g., forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11) were detected in the cytosol of whole testis. Isoform subunit 4 was the major form in the tubule, whereas isoform subunit 11 is the dominant form in the Leydig cells. Isoform subunits 3, 4, and 6 were enriched in the tubules as compared to interstitial or Leydig cells. The preferential action of reproductive toxicants at specific stages of aging may be due to an age-dependent expression of the activating or detoxifying enzymes in the reproductive tract. Therefore, the age-dependent expression of testicular GST isoforms was also examined. Expression of isoform subunits 2 and 4 displayed an age dependence, with the largest increase in these subunits occurring between ages 4 and 15 weeks. Isoform expression did not correlate with serum testosterone levels. HPLC analysis of the GST isoforms in the longitudinal segments of the epididymis and vas deferens revealed differential expression within these segments. Total GST protein and catalytic activity was highest in the caput epididymis and progressively decreased toward the vas deferens. Isoform subunit 2 was the major form expressed in the epididymis. The results of this study indicate that the GSTs are differentially expressed in testicular compartments and epididymal segments, and that this may contribute to susceptibility of different cell types to xenobiotic damage.
Gandy
J
J
Division of Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Primiano
T
T
Novak
R F
RF
Kelce
W R
WR
York
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000737:chemistry; D004822:Epididymis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000201:enzymology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000201:enzymology; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000633:toxicity
D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D015262:Xenobiotics; D005982:Glutathione Transferase