Functional characterization of a conditionally immortalized mouse epididymis caput epithelial cell line MEPC5 using temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen.
A conditionally immortalized epididymis caput cell line, MEPC5, was established by infecting primary cultured mouse epididymis caput cells with a temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen. At a permissive temperature of 33 degrees C, the large T-antigen was expressed and the cells grew continuously. However, the downregulation of T-antigen at a nonpermissive temperature of 39 degrees C and the upregulation of cell density at 33 degrees C were associated with growth arrest and the increased protein expression of p21(waf1), a cell cycle inhibitor. The cells expressed epididymal caput-expressed genes such as phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein, polyoma enhancer activator 3, ME1, sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2), androgen receptor, and retinoic acid receptor alpha. Interestingly, the expression levels of ME1 and SGP-2 were significantly elevated under the cell growth-restricted conditions. The established mouse epididymis caput epithelial cell line MEPC5 retains some characteristics of differentiated epididymis epithelial cells, and should prove an excellent model for studies of gene expression and the physiological functions of epididymis caput epithelial cells.
Tabuchi
Yoshiaki
Y
Division of Molecular Genetics, Life Scientific Research Center, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. ytabu@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Toyama
Yoshiro
Y
Toshimori
Kiyotaka
K
Komiyama
Masatoshi
M
Mori
Chisato
C
Kondo
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048429:Cell Size; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000276:immunology*; D013696:Temperature
D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins