Differentiation-dependent expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 10, in the rodent testis: effect of aging in Leydig cells.
Expression of the new 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), type 10 (17beta-HSD-10), formerly known as endoplasmic reticulum-associated amyloid-binding protein, has been investigated in the testes of various mammals under normal and perturbed conditions. Results show that 17beta-HSD-10 is a major product of both fetal and adult-type Leydig cells. In the former, protein persists until late in postnatal development; and in the short-day hamster model, it does not disappear when Leydig cells involute. During puberty in the rat, immunohistochemical staining for 17beta-HSD-10 in adult-type Leydig cells first becomes evident on d 20, increasing to maximal staining intensity by d 35. In the rat, but not in the mouse or any other species examined, there is also staining in late spermatids. Examination of testes from rats subjected to perinatal treatment with either a GnRH antagonist or low and high doses of diethylstilbestrol revealed that expression of 17beta-HSD-10 follows closely Leydig cell differentiation status, correlating with 3beta-HSD expression in a previous study. In aging (23 months) rat testes, Leydig cell (but not germ cell) immunostaining for 17beta-HSD-10 is markedly reduced. 17beta-HSD-10 seems to preferentially convert 3alpha-androstanediol into dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol to estrone. Thus, perinatal expression of this enzyme in fetal Leydig cells may contribute to protecting these cells from estrogens and encourage androgen formation.
Ivell
Richard
R
Institute for Hormone and Fertility Research, University of Hamburg, Falkenreid 88, 20251 Hamburg, Germany. ivell@ihf.de
Balvers
Marga
M
Anand
Ravinder J K
RJ
Paust
Hans-Joachim
HJ
McKinnell
Chris
C
Sharpe
Richard
R
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D015094:3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases; D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015094:3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases; C458480:Hsd17b10 protein, mouse