title: Transcription factor GATA-6, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in human fetal testis.
abstract: The GATA family of transcription factors have been implicated in regulating the development and function of many organs. Furthermore, they have been linked to signaling cascades regulating cell fate through apoptosis. GATA-6 has been shown to be expressed in the gonads, but its cell-specific expression in the testis has remained unclear. We have studied GATA-6 expression in human fetal testis using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry and compared these results with the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax. Furthermore, apoptosis was studied by thymidine deoxyribose-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling assay, and cell proliferation by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. GATA-6 mRNA and protein were expressed in Sertoli and Leydig cells early in gestation. Apoptotic cells were scanty between wk 16 and 40, and proliferation significantly ceased during the third trimester, supporting the view that only a little tissue remodeling occurs in the late fetal testis. Bax was present throughout the fetal period, whereas Bcl-2 expression decreased toward term. Neither of these factors correlated to the extent of apoptosis, and thus their role in the regulation of apoptosis in the fetal testis remains open. Despite strong expression, GATA-6 did not correlate with apoptosis or cell proliferation and is therefore unlikely to be directly involved in these processes in the human fetal testis.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Program for Developmental and Reproductive Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ketola
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toppari
authors.forename: Tommi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaskivuo
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herva
authors.forename: Juha S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tapanainen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heikinheimo
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D050993:GATA6 Transcription Factor; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
chemical_list: C494826:BAX protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050993:GATA6 Transcription Factor; C494759:GATA6 protein, human; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein