title: Cadherin in developing and maturing cysts of Torpedo Marmorata Testis.
abstract: We investigated the presence of cadherins, Ca++ dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, during the development and maturation of cysts in the testis of the spotted ray Torpedo marmorata. Using different anti-cadherin antibodies, we provide evidence by means of immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting that cadherins are involved in the interaction between Sertoli and germ cells. During the development and maturation of cysts, in fact, cadherins occur between Sertoli and germ cells when they begin to interact to build a cyst. Later on, the presence of cadherins between Sertoli and germ cells persists; furthermore, during the formation of spermatoblast, it is also evident at the level of indentations, arising from Sertoli cells and encompassing germ cells. Finally, the present findings strongly suggest that cadherins are also involved in the spermiogenesis as germ cells, when male gamete differentiation starts, are intensively stained, while, when spermiation is completed, the spermatozoa appear unlabeled.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. piero.andreuccetti@unina.it
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liguoro
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ricchiari
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andreuccetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development*; D014101:Torpedo / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins