title: G protein-coupled receptor 48 upregulates estrogen receptor alpha expression via cAMP/PKA signaling in the male reproductive tract.
abstract: The epididymis and efferent ducts play major roles in sperm maturation, transport, concentration and storage by reabsorbing water, ions and proteins produced from seminiferous tubules. Gpr48-null male mice demonstrate reproductive tract defects and infertility. In the present study, we found that estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) was dramatically reduced in the epididymis and efferent ducts in Gpr48-null male mice. We further revealed that ERalpha could be upregulated by Gpr48 activation via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Moreover, we identified a cAMP responsive element (Cre) motif located at -1307 to -1300 bp in the ERalpha promoter that is able to interact with Cre binding protein (Creb). In conclusion, Gpr48 participates in the development of the male epididymis and efferent ducts through regulation of ERalpha expression via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Endocrine Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 RuiJin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ji-Qiu
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hui-Jie
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Neng-Guang
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jing-Jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Ru-Ya
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Da-Li
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming-Yao
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ning
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases