title: High expression of NPY receptors in the human testis.
abstract: NPY receptors represent novel molecular therapeutic targets in cancer and obesity. However, the extent of NPY receptor expression in normal human tissues is poorly investigated. Based on the role of NPY in reproductive functions, the NPY receptor expression was studied in 25 normal human testes and, additionally, 24 testicular tumors using NPY receptor autoradiography. In the normal testis, Leydig cells strongly expressed NPY receptor subtype Y2, and small arterial blood vessels Y1. Y2 receptors were found to be functional with agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS binding autoradiography. Full functional integrity of the NPY system was further suggested by the immunohistochemical detection of NPY peptide in nerve fibers directly adjacent to Leydig cells and arteries. Germ cell tumors expressed Y1 and Y2 on tumor cells in 33% and Y1 on intratumoral blood vessels in 50%. Based on its strong NPY receptor expression in Leydig cells and blood vessels, the normal human testis represents a potentially important physiological and pharmalogical NPY target.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology and Experimental Cancer Research, Institute of Pathology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Körner
authors.forename: Beatriche
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waser
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Thalmann
authors.forename: Jean Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reubii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017476:Receptors, Neuropeptide Y / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D018239:Seminoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013724:Teratoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C092926:BIBP 3226; D001552:Benzazepines; D017476:Receptors, Neuropeptide Y; D016244:Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); D001120:Arginine; C403256:BIIE 0246