title: Expression and localization of the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) in testicular cells.
abstract: Administration of radioiodine (I(131)) is currently exploited for both diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of thyroid cancer. Few data are available on the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) expression in human testis, a particular important prerequisite to predict radioiodine accumulation in the gonads of males with thyroid cancer exposed to such a treatment. In this study, we analyzed the expression of NIS in mouse, rat and human normal testis in different stages of development. By using a quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis, NIS mRNA and protein were measured in both fetal and adult testicular tissues. NIS transcript was detected in both fetal and adult testis, although its expression levels were approximately 10-fold less than in thyroid gland. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry showed the presence of NIS protein in germinal and Leydig cells, but not in Sertoli cells with prevalent expression in the cytosol compartment of the cells. Our study demonstrates that NIS transcript and protein are expressed in normal testis. Further studies will demonstrate whether it may act as the transporter of radioiodine in normal testis of male patients with thyroid cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacobiological Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, 88100, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy. d.russo@unicz.it
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scipioni
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durante
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gandini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maggisano
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paoli
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verrienti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costante
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D027981:Symporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D027981:Symporters; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters