Acinar Cells Are Target Cells for Androgens in Mouse Submandibular Glands

Abstract

S U M M A R YThe variable coding sequence (VCS) multigene family encodes diverse salivary proteins, such as the SMR1 prohormone and the PR-VB1 proline-rich protein in the rat. In situ hybridization was used to study the cell-specific expression of two new mouse VCS genes, Vcs1 and Vcs2. We show that the Vcs1 transcripts, which code for a proline-rich protein, MSG1, are highly abundant in male and female parotid glands, in which they are specifically detected in acinar cells. No expression was seen in the submandibular or sublingual glands. In contrast, Vcs2 transcripts were found only in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands (SMGs) of male mice, in which they are expressed in response to androgens. Expression was found to be heterogeneous within acinar structures. No Vcs2 transcripts were detected in the SMGs of females or castrated males by Northern blot, RNase protection, or in situ hybridization. Androgen administration to females or castrated males induced expression at a level comparable to that of intact males. The Vcs2 gene is the first example of a mouse androgen-regulated gene that is expressed in SMG acinar cells. This result, in addition to our previous observation on SMR1 expression in rats, demonstrates that both acinar cells and granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells are target cells for androgen action in rodent SMG. (J Histochem Cytochem 46:669-678, 1998)

Age and gender related differences in human parotid gland gene expression

“…Our findings are consistent with the gender associated and gland specific variations in mRNA levels previously reported in rodent model salivary gland systems (20,27,28) and in lacrimal (29) and meibomian glands (30). The differentially expressed genes in these studies are involved in a wide range of biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components, including growth and development, transcription, metabolism, signal transduction, ion transport, receptor activity and protein and nucleic acid binding.…”

Perinatal xenohormone exposure impacts sweet preference and submandibular development in male rats

“…This confirms the predominant action of androgenic type on gene regulation of the salivary glands in the male. This predominant effect of androgens on SSG was also demonstrated on the development of acinar and GCT structures (Senorale‐Pose et al , ) as well as the influence of sex hormones and, especially testosterone on the SSG development was described by many authors (Hiramatsu et al, ; Rins de David et al, ).…”

Testosterone regulates erectile function and Vcsa1 expression in the corpora of rats

“…Although this is a significant decrease, in the sub-mandibular gland of the rat there is approximately 1000-fold greater gene expression in the males, mainly ascribed to the effect of androgens (16). In male mice, castration leads to an almost complete loss of detection of the Vcsa1 transcript in the sub-mandibular gland (19). There may be different levels of expression of the AR in the corpora compared to the sub-mandibular gland, or a greater down-regulation of its expression in response to androgens, thereby limiting their effect.…”