Intracellular pH regulation in human Sertoli cells: role of membrane transporters

Oliveira, Pedro F.; Sousa, Mário; Barros, Alberto; Moura, Teresa; Costa, Alex

doi:10.1530/rep-08-0363

Cited by 51 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Isolation of SC was made by a method described elsewhere (Oliveira et al 2009b) with some modifications. The tubules were centrifuged at 500 g for 5 min and washed in HBSSf followed by another centrifugation.…”

Section: Primary Sc Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and is a new androgen-target gene in mammalian testis

Laurentino

Correia

Cavaco³

et al. 2011

Reproduction

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Regucalcin (RGN) is a calcium (Ca 2C )-binding protein which regulates intracellular Ca 2C homeostasis by modulating the activity of enzymes regulating Ca 2C concentration and enhancing Ca 2C -pumping activity. Several studies have described the pivotal role of proper Ca 2C homeostasis regulation to spermatogenesis and male fertility. Recently, RGN was identified as a sex steroid-regulated gene in prostate and breast; however, a possible role of RGN in spermatogenesis has not been examined. In this study, the expression and localization of RGN in rat and human testis, and other rat reproductive tissues was analyzed. Moreover, we studied whether RGN protein was present in seminiferous tubule fluid (STF). Finally, we examined the effect of 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the expression of Rgn mRNA in rat seminiferous tubules (SeT) cultured ex vivo. The results presented in this study show that RGN is expressed in Leydig and Sertoli cells, as well as in all types of germ cells of both rat and human testis. RGN is also expressed in rat prostate, epididymis, and seminal vesicles. Moreover, RGN protein is present in rat STF. The results also demonstrate that Rgn expression is age dependent in rat testis, and is upregulated by the non-aromatizable androgen DHT in rat SeT cultured ex vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate that Rgn is a novel androgen-target gene in rat testis and that it may have a role in male reproductive function, particularly in the control of spermatogenesis.

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Section: Primary Sc Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and is a new androgen-target gene in mammalian testis

Laurentino

Correia

Cavaco³

et al. 2011

Reproduction

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“…In addition, the Sertoli cell number determines an upper limit for sperm production, a crucial detail (Sharpe, 1994(Sharpe, , 1999Buzzard et al, 2002). Sertoli cells facilitate the progression of degenerating germ cells and their remains (Griswold, 1995;Griswold, 1998;Buzzard et al, 2002;Mruk & Cheng, 2004;Oliveira et al, 2009) and it has been demonstrated that apoptotic spermatogenic cells and residual bodies are phagocytosed and degraded by Sertoli cells during mammalian spermatogenesis (Shiratsuchi et al, 1999;Xiong et al, 2008Xiong et al, , 2009.…”

Section: The Sertoli Cellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

et al. 2011

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In this article, we focus on the fundamental role of vitamin C transporters for the normal delivery of vitamin C to germ cells in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. We argue that the redox status within spermatozoa or in semen is partly responsible for the etiology of infertility. In this context, antioxidant defence plays a critical role in male fertility. Vitamin C, a micronutrient required for a wide variety of metabolic functions, has long been associated with male reproduction. Two systems for vitamin C transport have been described in mammals. Facilitative hexose transporters (GLUTs), with 14 known isoforms to date, GLUT1-GLUT14, transport the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) into the cells. Sodium ascorbic acid co-transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Sertoli cells control germ cell proliferation and differentiation through cell-cell communication and form the blood-testis barrier. Because the blood-testis barrier limits direct access of molecules from the plasma into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, one important question is the method by which germ cells obtain vitamin C. Some interesting results have thrown light on this matter. Expression of SVCT2 and some isoforms of GLUT transporters in the testis have previously been described. Our group has demonstrated that Sertoli cells express functionally active vitamin C transporters. Kinetic characteristics were described for both transport systems (SVCT and GLUT systems). Sertoli cells are able to transport both forms of vitamin C. These fi ndings are extremely relevant, because Sertoli cells may control the amount of vitamin C in the adluminal compartment, as well as regulating the availability of this metabolite throughout spermatogenesis.

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“…We can summarize these cell functions in two key aspects: formation of the seminiferous tubules and nutritional/structural/immunological support of the developing germ cells. Moreover, the SCs also control the ionic composition of the seminiferous epithelium [21] and the tubular fluid pH [22,23]. Fully differentiated SCs are often described as "nurse cells" and secrete several factors essential for spermatogenesis, including transferrin [24], glycoproteins [25], sulpho-proteins [26], myo-inositol [27], plasminogen activator [28] and androgen-binding protein [29].…”

Section: General Aspects Of Sertoli-germ Cell Associationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic Cooperation in Testis as a Pharmacological Target: From Disease to Contraception

Alves¹,

Dias²,

Silva³

et al. 2015

CMP

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Abstract:The development of a "male pill" to control fertility is still a major challenge. Although women have several options to play an active role in the couple family planning, men are very limited in terms of contraceptive methods. Several approaches have been proposed to develop a male contraceptive and can be divided in two major groups: hormonal and non-hormonal methods. Within the testis, the somatic Sertoli cell (SC) is known as the "nurse cell" since it provides the physical and nutritional support for the developing germ cells. Moreover, adjacent SCs form the Sertoli/blood testis barrier (BTB), which divides the seminiferous epithelium into the basal and the apical compartments, controlling the passage of substances to the site where germ cells develop. Among the several functions of SC, its metabolism and the production of lactate, acetate and other metabolic factors are essential for the normal occurrence of spermatogenesis. In the last years, several works have highlighted that the metabolic cooperation established between SCs and developing germ cells is compromised in several diseases associated with male subfertility/infertility. Notably, several metabolismassociated proteins are specifically expressed in the testis. Thus, there are several evidences illustrating that the control of male fertility can be achieved by targeting testicular cells metabolism. Herein, we discuss the metabolic cooperation in testis as a potential pharmacological target to counteract subfertility/infertility promoted by several diseases, particularly metabolic diseases. We also discuss how it can contribute to the development of a male contraceptive.

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Intracellular pH regulation in human Sertoli cells: role of membrane transporters

Cited by 51 publications

References 53 publications

Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and is a new androgen-target gene in mammalian testis

Regucalcin is broadly expressed in male reproductive tissues and is a new androgen-target gene in mammalian testis

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

Metabolic Cooperation in Testis as a Pharmacological Target: From Disease to Contraception

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