Expression of glutathione peroxidases in the adult male rat reproductive tract.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of three glutathione peroxidase isoforms in the male reproductive tract and to further characterize testicular glutathione peroxidase expression.


METHODS
Analysis of glutathione peroxidase levels in untreated animals.


METHODS
32P-labeled DNA probes were derived from known complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences for classic cellular glutathione peroxidase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, and secretory epididymal glutathione peroxidase, and used to evaluate mRNA levels in each tissue by Northern blot hybridization.


METHODS
Glutathione peroxidase mRNA concentrations.


RESULTS
A 0.8-kb transcript was identified in liver, testis, prostate, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, and epididymis using the cDNA probe for classic cellular glutathione peroxidase. Using the probe for phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, a 0.9-kb transcript was identified in the epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicle, and liver. In the testis, the phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase transcript was highly abundant and longer, measuring 1.1 kb. The phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA transcript was expressed in 40-, 60-, and 90-day-old rat testes, but was undetectable in testes of 10- and 20-day-old rats. Epididymal glutathione peroxidase was detected as a single 1.9-kb transcript in the caput epididymis only.


CONCLUSIONS
Male rat reproductive tissues express at least three different isozymes of glutathione peroxidase. Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase and classic cellular glutathione peroxidase are primarily found in testis, whereas epididymal glutathione peroxidase is expressed in the epididymis.
Zini
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James Buchanan Brady Foundation, Department of Urology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York 10021, USA.
Schlegel
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D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase