Connexin43 expression in the testis of frog Rana esculenta: sex hormonal regulation.
Spermatogenesis is the process of proliferating and differentiating germ cells that require highly coordinated cellular interactions. Intercellular junctions are important in maintaining communication between testicular cells. In particular, gap junctions play an important role in this event. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundant protein forming a gap junction in a vertebrate testis. It is expressed in several cells types of Rana esculenta testes. The use of reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis demonstrates that expression levels of Cx43 are regulated by estradiol and testosterone in both in vivo and in vitro experiments.
Izzo
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Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale-Seconda Università di Napoli, Napoli, Italy.
Ferrara
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D
Delrio
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G
d'Istria
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M
Minucci
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S
D000818:Animals; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011893:Rana esculenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D018031:Connexin 43; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones