title: Thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1-beta 1 expression in epididymal epithelium from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats.
abstract: The objectives of the present work were to assess whether epithelial cells from the different segments of epididymis express TR alpha 1-beta 1 isoforms, to depict its subcellular immunolocalization and to evaluate changes in their expression in rats experimentally submitted to a hypothyroid state by injection of 131I. In euthyroid and hypothyroid groups, TR protein was expressed in epididymal epithelial cells, mainly in the cytoplasmic compartment while only a few one showed a staining in the nucleus as well. A similar TR immunostaining pattern was detected in the different segments of the epididymis. In hypothyroid rats, the number of TR-immunoreactive epithelial cells as well as the intensity of the cytoplasmic staining significantly increased in all sections analyzed. In consonance to the immunocytochemical analysis, the expression of TR alpha 1-beta 1 isoforms, assessed by Western blot revealed significantly higher levels of TR in cytosol compared to the nuclear fractions. Furthermore, TR expression of both alpha 1 and beta 1 isoforms and their mRNA levels were increased by the hypothyroid state. The immuno-electron-microscopy showed specific reaction for TR in principal cells associated with eucromatin, cytosolic matrix and mitochondria. The differences in expression levels assessed in control and thyroidectomized rats ascertain a specific function of TH on this organ.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana Lucía
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: De Paul
authors.forename: Jorge Humberto
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mukdsi
authors.forename: Claudia Gabriela
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Pellizas
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montesinos
authors.forename: Silvina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Susperreguy
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Río
authors.forename: Cristina Alicia
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Alicia Inés
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015870:Gene Expression; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D037021:Thyroid Hormone Receptors alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D037042:Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D037021:Thyroid Hormone Receptors alpha; D037042:Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013974:Thyroxine