Detection of nerve growth factor mRNA in rodent salivary glands with digoxigenin- and 33P-labeled oligonucleotides: effects of castration and sympathectomy.

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein highly expressed in the male mouse submandibular gland. We have applied a non-radioactive in situ hybridization method using digoxigenin-labeled NGF oligonucleotides, and have found the highest amounts of NGF mRNA in the secretory striated ducts of the male mouse submandibular gland. Scattered strongly positive cells were found in male mouse sublingual glands. Weakly labeled cells were seen in female mouse and in male rat submandibular gland striated duct cells. Using 33P as an alternative to 32P and 35S, we demonstrated a 1.3 KB NGF mRNA in salivary glands of male mice by Northern blot hybridization. Using 33P we detected NGF mRNA in male mouse submandibular glands by in situ hybridization but with a signal that, compared with the non-radioactive method, had a very low resolution. Castration of male mice almost abolished both the 1.3 KB NGF mRNA seen with Northern blots and the NGF mRNA labeling in submandibular glands 4 weeks after the operation, whereas levels were increased 6 hr and 2 days after sympathectomy. We conclude that hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled NGF oligonucleotides is a good tool to study the expression and regulation of NGF mRNA in male mouse submandibular glands.

Effects of castration on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the vas deferens and male accessory genital glands of the rat

“…These results are in contrast to those reported for neurotrophins in several androgen target tissues. NGF expression has been reported to be markedly upregulated by androgens in mouse brain regions (Katoh-Semba et al 1994) and submandibular salivary glands (Humpel et al 1993). In the guinea pig prostate, in addition, castration has been reported to have no effect on NGF mRNA expression (MacGrogan et al 1991).…”

In Utero and Lactational Exposure to Low-Dose Genistein-Vinclozolin Mixture Affects the Development and Growth Factor mRNA Expression of the Submandibular Salivary Gland in Immature Female Rats

“…As an anti-androgenic response, GCT areas as well as EGF and NGF expression in SSG were decreased by castration of male rodents (Hiramatsu et al 1994;Humpel et al 1993). In our study, despite an increase in the GCT areas, vinclozolin alone as well as the genisteinþvinclozolin mixture strongly decreased TGFa and EGF/NGF expression, indicating a specific anti-androgenic action on all three growth factor mRNA transcripts by vinclozolin or its metabolites.…”

The granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cell of rodent submandibular glands

“…These cells stain immunocytochemically for EGF, NGF, renin, and protease (Ayer-Le Lievre et al, 1989;Bing et al, 1980;Gresik and Barka, 1983;Olson et al, 1987); Humple et al (1993) detected NGF mRNA in such cells by in situ hybridization. These cells have not been characterized at the fine structural level.…”