omega-Conotoxin-sensitive Ca2+ voltage-gated channels modulate protein secretion in cultured rat Sertoli cells.
Recent results have demonstrated that substantial calcium influx in rat Sertoli cells is mediated by cation channels of both L- and N-type. In this report we have investigated the possible role of such channels in the protein secretion of immature rat Sertoli cell monolayers. The blocking of N-type voltage-gated channels by omega-conotoxin (omega-CTX) GVIA results in a 50-60% inhibition of the protein secretion in the culture medium while total protein and RNA synthesis are not affected. The same extent of protein secretion inhibition is obtained in FSH-stimulated Sertoli cells. L-type voltage-gated channels apparently are not involved in such a modulation. These data, showing that a major fraction of secreted proteins from cultured rat Sertoli cells is Ca2+ dependent, represent the first evidence of a physiological role of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels in mammalian testis.
Taranta
A
A
Institute of Histology and general Embryology, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy.
Morena
A R
AR
Barbacci
E
E
D'Agostino
A
A
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA
D015220:Calcium Channels; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA