A close correlation in the expression patterns of Af-6 and Usp9x in Sertoli and granulosa cells of mouse testis and ovary.
Usp9x, an X-linked deubiquitylating enzyme, is stage dependently expressed in the supporting cells (i.e. Sertoli cells and granulosa cells) and germ cells during mouse gametogenesis. Af-6, a cell junction protein, has been identified as a substrate of Usp9x, suggesting a possible association between Usp9x and Af-6 in spermatogenesis and oogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of Af-6 and Usp9x and their intracellular localization in testes and ovaries of mice treated with or without pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), an FSH-like hormone. In both testes and ovaries, Af-6 expression was predominantly observed in supporting cells, as well as in steroidogenic cells, but not in any germ cells. In Sertoli cells, Af-6 was continuously expressed throughout postnatal and adult stages, where both Af-6 and Usp9x were enriched at the sites of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-spermatid junctions especially at stages XI-VI. In the granulosa cells, Af-6, as well as Usp9x, was highly expressed in primordial and primary follicles, but its expression rapidly decreased after the late-secondary follicle stage. Interestingly, in PMSG-treated mice, the expression levels of Af-6 and Usp9x were synchronously enhanced, slightly in Sertoli cells and strongly in granulosa cells of the late-secondary and Graafian follicles. Such closely correlated expression patterns between Af-6 and Usp9x clearly suggest that Af-6 may be deubiquitylated by Usp9x in both Sertoli and granulosa cells. It further suggests that the post-translational regulation of Af-6 by Usp9x may be one potential pathway to control the cell adhesion dynamics in mammalian gametogenesis.
Sato
Takeshi
T
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Kanai
Yoshiakira
Y
Noma
Takashi
T
Kanai-Azuma
Masami
M
Taya
Shinichiro
S
Matsui
Toshiyasu
T
Ishii
Maki
M
Kawakami
Hayato
H
Kurohmaru
Masamichi
M
Kaibuchi
Kozo
K
Wood
Stephen A
SA
Hayashi
Yoshihiro
Y
D000818:Animals; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D016547:Kinesins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
C490657:Afdn protein, mouse; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D010450:Endopeptidases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; C404328:Usp9x protein, mouse; D009218:Myosins; D016547:Kinesins