[The preparation of StAR gene probe and its expression in mice Leydig cells under stress].
OBJECTIVE
To prepare the cDNA probe of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene, and to investigate the StAR mRNA expression in stressed C57BL/6 mice leydig cells.


METHODS
cDNA fragment encoding mouse StAR was amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA prepared from the testis, and then the RT-PCR product was cloned into pCR2. 1-TOPO vector. After StAR gene cDNA was sequenced, the Dig-labeled cRNA probes for mouse StAR gene were prepared by in vitro transcription from cDNA fragment. With the specific cRNA probes, in situ hybridization analysis was conducted in stressed mice testis and controls.


RESULTS
The results demonstrated that StAR mRNA levels were significantly lower in stressed leydig cells than that in controls (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased StAR mRNA levels induced by stress may result in a reduced production of StAR protein, which compromised the transportation of cholesterol, the substrate for androgen biosynthesis, into mitochondria, resulting in a poor T production in leydig cells and finally a declined T levels.
Dou
Ke
K
Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Li
Hong
H
Lu
Yi-ping
YP
Wei
Qiang
Q
Yang
Yu-ru
YR
Dong
Qiang
Q
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D015342:DNA Probes; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013739:Testosterone