Molecular cloning, expression profile and functional implications of clusterin in the pituitary gland of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).
Clusterin is shown to contain putative amphipathic alpha-helices that mediate hydrophobic interactions with numerous types of molecules and may be involved in clearance of cellular debris caused by cell injury or death. To assess this function in vivo, we have cloned the full-length cDNA encoding guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) clusterin and studied its synthesis and expression pattern in specific cell types in pituitary. Quantity of clusterin mRNA expressed in pituitary and endocrine tissues was quantified by real-time PCR. Highest levels were detected in gonads. In situ hybridization showed clusterin mRNA in endocrine cells and folliculostellate cells. Clusterin protein detected by immunohistochemistry was observed in endocrine cells, folliculostellate cells and in colloid. The expression pattern suggests that clusterin is produced by endocrine cells for cytoprotection. Degenerating endocrine cells are phagocytosed by folliculostellate cells and digested by their lysosomal enzymes. In folliculostellate cells clusterin interacts and aggregates with by-products of digestion that subsequently become stored in colloid.
Claudius
Luziga
L
United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Japan.
Yoshimi
Yamamoto
Y
Yoichiro
Horii
H
Rudovick
Kazwala
K
Koichi
Mamba
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D051152:Clusterin; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011200:Poultry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D051152:Clusterin; D003102:Colloids; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger