title: Molecular identity, expression and functional analysis of interleukin-1alpha and its isoforms in rat testis.
abstract: Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has also been found to act as a paracrine mediator involved in the regulation of testicular functions. The present review provides an overview of the role of IL-1alpha in testicular physiology. Bioactive IL-1alpha isolated from adult rat testis was found to consist of three distinct immunoreactive protein species with apparent sizes of 45, 24 and 19 kDa. These isoforms showed bioactivity in a thymocyte proliferation and steroidogenesis assays with different biopotencies. The background of the molecular heterogeneity and processing, secretion and regulation of the isoforms of testicular IL-1alpha are discussed. All three isoforms have been found to be secreted into the testis tubular lumen and interstitial space. We have provided evidence that IL-1alpha is a paracrine factor that may be of importance in, e.g., the regulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Pathophysiologically, testicular IL-1alpha may contribute to testicular relapse of acute lymphocytic leukemia in boys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi- 74800, Pakistan. taranum.sultana@aku.edu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Svechnikov
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wahlgren
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013256:Steroids