title: Identification, characterization and biological activity of oxytocin receptor in the developing human penis.
abstract: Although abnormalities of the male external genitalia (MEG) are a relatively common problem, little is known concerning the molecular mechanisms that finely regulate penile development. We report here the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene by real-time RT-PCR in human fetal tissues (11th-12th week of gestation), including the MEG. The developing penis expressed a very high level of OTR mRNA, only a half log(10) unit lower than fetal central nervous system, used as a positive control. The OTR protein is also highly expressed (western, immunohistochemistry and binding studies) and immunolocalized both in the mesenchymal body and in the surrounding blood capillaries, which will later constitute penile trabeculae and sinusoids. Binding studies using [125I]oxytocin antagonist ([125I]OTA) in cultured human fetal penile smooth muscle cells (hfPSMC) revealed the presence of specific OTR with a high capacity and affinity for oxytocin (OT) and for OTA. Increasing concentrations of OT dose-dependently induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Furthermore, OTR mediated an increase in the proliferation and the migration of hfPSMC. In conclusion, we demonstrate that in the developing human MEG, OTR is highly expressed and might be involved in coordinating timely and appropriate proliferation and migration of the penile cells. Thus, OTR might represent an additional target for investigating human fetal MEG organogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, Andrology and Endocrinology Unit, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignozzi
authors.forename: Gabriella Barbara
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Vannelli
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mancina
authors.forename: Mirca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferruzzi
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crescioli
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luconi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: Alessandra Daphne
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002633:Chemotaxis; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010413:Penis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin; D002118:Calcium