Cox7a2 mediates steroidogenesis in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the regulatory function of Cox7a2 on steroidogenesis and the mechanism involved in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.


METHODS
The cDNA of Cox7a2 was cloned from TM3 mouse Leydig cells. It was subcloned to pDsRed-Express-N1 and transfected back into TM3 mouse Leydig cells for Cox7a2 overexpression by transient gene transfection. Steroidogenesis affected by overexpressed Cox7a2 was studied by ELISA. To elicit the mechanism of this effect, expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined by Western blot and fluorometer, respectively.


RESULTS
The cDNA of Cox7a2 (249 bp) was cloned from Leydig cells and confirmed by DNA sequencing. After constructed pDsRed-Express-N1-Cox7a2 was transfected back into TM3 mouse Leydig cells, Cox7a2 inhibited not only luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced secretion of testosterone but also the expression of StAR protein. At the same time, Cox7a2 increased the activity of ROS in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Cox7a2 inhibited LH-induced StAR protein expression, and consequent testosterone production, at least in part, by increasing ROS activity in TM3 mouse Leydig cells.
Chen
Liang
L
Andrology Center of Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100009, China.
Xin
Zhong-Cheng
ZC
Li
Xin
X
Tian
Long
L
Yuan
Yi-Ming
YM
Liu
Gang
G
Jiang
Xue-Jun
XJ
Guo
Ying-Lu
YL
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D010750:Phosphoproteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; C514296:Cox7a2 protein, mouse; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV