title: WNT/β-catenin-signaling pathway stimulates the proliferation of cultured adult human Sertoli cells via upregulation of C-myc expression.
abstract: The role of WNT/β-catenin-signaling pathway is critical in mouse Sertoli cell maturation and tumorigenesis. This study aims to examine the effects of WNT/β-catenin signaling on the cultured adult human Sertoli cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) inhibitors, SB216763 and lithium chloride (LiCl), were used to activate WNT/β-catenin-signaling pathway. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze the proliferation and cell cycle of cultured human Sertoli cells, respectively. C-myc expression was accessed by immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The effects of c-myc on Sertoli cell proliferation were investigated by RNA interference technology and BrdU incorporation assay. The results showed activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling stimulated human Sertoli cell proliferation. Obvious increases in c-myc messenger RNA and protein expression were observed after SB216763 and LiCl treatments. Knockdown of c-myc expression attenuated the ability of WNT/β-catenin signaling to stimulate the proliferation of human Sertoli cells. WNT/β-catenin signaling enhances human Sertoli cell proliferation via upregulation of c-myc expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Xiangyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics*; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008301:Maleimides / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D008301:Maleimides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C417521:SB 216763; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; C000605507:Gsk3b protein, mouse; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D018021:Lithium Chloride