title: Molecular cloning and hormonal regulation of a murine epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein messenger ribonucleic acid.
abstract: A complementary DNA encoding the mouse epididymal secretory protein MEP 10 (mouse epididymal protein 10) was cloned and is now renamed murine epididymal retinoic acid binding protein (mE-RABP). The analysis of the predicted primary amino acid sequence showed that mE-RABP has a 75% identity with rat ESP I (epididymal secretory protein I), another epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein. The homology strongly suggests that mE-RABP is the mouse orthologue of rat ESP I. A computer analysis of the predicted three-dimensional structure confirmed that mE-RABP can accommodate retinoic acid as ligand. In the rat, ESP I messenger RNA (mRNA) is expressed in the efferent ducts and in the entire caput epididymidis. However, in the mouse, the expression of a 950-bp mE-RABP mRNA was detected only in principal cells of the mid/distal caput epididymidis, suggesting that the regulation of region-specific expression is different in rat and mouse. Northern blot analyses showed that mE-RABP gene expression is no longer detected 10 days after castration but progressively rebounds between days 15 and 60. However, mE-RABP protein could not be detected by Western blot 30 days after castration. Androgen replacement, begun 5 days after castration and continued for 4 days restored significant expression of mE-RABP mRNA. Efferent duct ligation for 10 days did not affect gene expression. Taken together, these results indicate that mE-RABP mRNA expression is regulated by androgens but not by testicular factors. The overall similarity in the primary amino acid sequence of mE-RABP with ESP I and other members of the lipocalin superfamily suggests that they are evolutionarily related.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2633, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lareyre
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: G Q
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Newcomer
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Matusik
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Orgebin-Crist
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C112597:Lcn5 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma