title: The role of MAPK and FAS death receptor pathways in testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by lead.
abstract: The aim of the present study is to investigate gene expression involved in the signal pathway of MAPK and death signal receptor pathway of FAS in lead-induced apoptosis of testicular germ cells. First, cell viabilities were determined by MTT assay. Second, using single cell gel-electrophoresis test (comet assay) and TUNEL staining technique, apoptotic rate and cell apoptosis localization of testicular germ cells were measured in mice treated with 0.15%, 0.3%, and 0.6% lead, respectively. Third, the immunolocalization of K-ras, c-fos, Fas, and active caspase-3 proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. Finally, changes in the translational levels of K-ras, c-fos, Fas, and active caspase-3 were further detected by western blot analysis. Our results showed that lead could significantly induce testicular germ cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). The mechanisms were closely related to the increased expressions of K-ras, c-fos, Fas, and active caspase-3 in apoptotic germ cells. In conclusion, K-ras/c-fos and Fas/caspase-3 death signaling receptor pathways were involved in the lead-induced apoptosis of the testicular germ cells in mice.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
authors.forename: Shuying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Duoping
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Yujuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Huiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Songbin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D053200:Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053200:Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein; D007854:Lead; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases