Expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMP-2, MT1 -MMP) and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) by rat sertoli cells in culture: implications for spermatogenesis.
During testicular development and maturation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is a fundamental process which requires the presence of several proteases and protease inhibitors. Among the proteases, a pivotal role has been proposed for matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Here we report an analysis of MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 expression by rat Sertoli cells in culture using RT-PCR and zymographic techniques. Stimulating Sertoli cells with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in vitro induced evident changes in the level of their mRNA in a time-dependent manner. In the case of TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP, the respective transcripts were augmented up to three-fold after 24 h of treatment, and MMP-2 transcripts increased by four times in the same period. MMP-2 activity determined by gelatin zymography showed an increase in enzyme secretion after FSH stimulation. The results of this study suggest that: (i) at the surface of Sertoli cells pro-MMP-2 activation mediated by MT1-MMP may occur, involving TIMP-2 as a receptor; and (ii) the expression of these molecules is not constitutive in this cell type, but may be modulated by FSH and is therefore implicated in spermatogenesis.
Slongo
M Liliana
ML
Department of Experimental Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy.
Zampieri
Marzia
M
Onisto
Maurizio
M
D000818:Animals; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2