Zinc-regulating proteins, ZnT-1, and metallothionein I/II are present in different cell populations in the mouse testis.
Zinc ions play an important role in testis development and spermatogenesis. Thus, nutritional zinc deficiency leads to aberrant testicular development, reduced spermatogenesis, and male sterility. The precise actions of zinc in mediating these functions and the mechanisms by which zinc is itself regulated in the testis, however, have not been adequately elucidated. We have assessed the distribution of the zinc-regulating proteins ZnT-1 and metallothionein I/II (MT I/II) in the mouse seminiferous tubule. Co-labeling for ZnT-1 and MT I/II demonstrated unique patterns of distribution for these proteins, with ZnT-1 present in Sertoli cells in addition to luminal spermatozoa and MT I/II restricted to spermatocytes. These findings were confirmed by dual-label immunofluorescence for ZnT-1 and the Sertoli cell marker, vimentin, and by immunoelectron microscopy. The differential expression patterns of ZnT-1 and MTs support the hypothesis that ZnT-1 and MTs play different roles in the regulation of intracellular zinc in this organ. The specific expression of ZnT-1 in the Sertoli cells, moreover, is consistent with their role in maintaining a nurturing, closely regulated environment for spermatogenesis.
Elgazar
Vered
V
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84 105 Israel.
Razanov
Vladimir
V
Stoltenberg
Meredin
M
Hershfinkel
Michal
M
Huleihel
Mahmoud
M
Nitzan
Yuval Bibi
YB
Lunenfeld
Eitan
E
Sekler
Israel
I
Silverman
William F
WF
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C485803:Slc30a1 protein, mouse; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc