title: Calmodulin content, Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding proteins, and testis growth: identification of Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding proteins in primary spermatocytes.
abstract: In contrast with the transient pre-replicative increase in calmodulin (CaM) level observed in proliferative activated cells, postnatal development of rat testis was paralleled by 3 specific rises in CaM. The first one occurred between 5 and 10 days, coincident with the appearance and proliferation start of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. Meiosis accomplishment and spermatid differentiation were paralleled by 2 additional rises, at 24 and 32 days, respectively. The plateau phase of testis growth was coincident with the appearance of maturating spermatids and spermatozoa in the germinal epithelium, and with a decrease in CaM content. Testicular DNA:g wet tissue ratio reached the highest level in 15-day-old rats and gradually decreased up to 35 days, when a constant level was reached. A similar level of Ca2+-CaMBPs was observed in 5- and 20-day-old rat testis. Although all subcellular fractions showed the ability to bind CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner, CaM was mainly recovered in the nuclear and soluble fractions of adult and immature rat testis. Several Ca2+-CaMBPs with an apparent M(r) of 82, 75, 64, 19, and 14 kD were purified by affinity chromatography from pachytene primary spermatocyte nuclear matrix. Ca2+-CaMBPs showing an M(r) of 120, 78, 72, and 66 kD were also purified from the supernatant obtained after DNA and RNA hydrolysis of meiotic nuclei. Major cytosolic Ca2+-CaMBPs of primary spermatocytes showed an M(r) of 120, 84, 44, and 39 kD. The functions that these Ca2+-CaMBPs might have during the first meiotic prophase is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Oncológicas, Hospitalde Oncologia, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trejo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delhumeau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA; D002118:Calcium