Expression of transcripts for cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) in the murine lacrimal gland.
Cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) represent a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins which may play a role in the innate immune system and are transcriptionally regulated by androgens in several tissues. Transcripts for all three members of the CRISP family have now been identified in the murine lacrimal gland. RT-PCR using primers able to discriminate between the related CRISP forms allowed the amplification of fragments with the expected length. DNA sequencing revealed a complete identity with the hitherto characterized epididymal CRISP-1, testicular CRISP-2, and salivary gland CRISP-3. An analysis of several mouse strains indicated that all expressed the three CRISP forms, but in differing amounts. RT-PCR analysis of RNA isolated from acinar cells of lacrimal glands revealed that they expressed CRISP-1 and CRISP-2. Semiquantitative and quantitative analyses furthermore showed higher CRISP-1 and CRISP-3 mRNA levels in the lacrimal glands of male BALB/c and NOD mice when compared to females. Testosterone treatment of C3H/HeJ female mice was followed by an upregulation of the steady-state CRISP-1 but not CRISP-2 transcript levels. A comparable stimulation was observed for the mRNAs coding for parotid secretory protein (PSP), a factor previously shown to exhibit sexual dimorphism in the murine lacrimal gland. The expression of CRISP transcripts in the lacrimal gland is consistent with a function in the innate immune system.
Haendler
B
B
Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Berlin, Germany. Bernard.Haendler@Schering.de
Toda
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I
Sullivan
D A
DA
Schleuning
W D
WD
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D017931:DNA Primers; D004343:Drug Implants; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects