Possible involvement of proteases in the regulation of spermatogenesis

Abstract

Proteolytic enzymes, which are synthesized and secreted by cells of the seminiferous tubule of the testis, have important functions in spermatogenesis. We performed metabolic studies using small peptide hormones as a substrate to investigate the activity of proteases in cultured Sertoli cells of the rat. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the cell culture supernatants showed cleavage of met-and leu-enkephalin, substance P, and bradykinin. No peptidolysis was observed for the cyclic peptide oxytocin. The hormone cleavage pattern and the use of specific protease inhibitors in peptide degradation experiments demonstrated activities of several proteases in Sertoli cells. These are mainly metalloproteinases including neutral metalloendopeptidases, angiotensin-converting enzyme and aminopeptidases. In addition, activities of serine and aspartic proteases were detected. Only marginal proteolytic activities were observed in Sertoli cell conditioned supernatants, indicating that the investigated proteases are mainly located on Sertoli cell membranes. The peptide hormones used in this study have been found to play a potential role in the endocrine, paracrine or autocrine regulation of testicular cells. The membrane-associated proteases reported here may therefore be involved in the metabolism and inactivation of these peptides.

In vitro effects of glyphosate and Roundup on Sertoli cell physiology

“…Altogether, the results presented herein lead us to conclude that G and R effects on testicular function are not mediated by impairment of Sertoli cell metabolism. Noticeably, other reproductive toxicants, including phthalate esters (Williams and Foster, 1989), nitro-benzene (Allenby et al, 1990), gossypol (Monsees et al, 1998b) and certain heavy metal ions (Monsees et al, 1998a;Yu et al, 2019), alter Sertoli cell lactate production and show that toxicant effects strongly depend on the chemical nature of the toxicant.…”

Whole Exome Sequencing and In Silico Analysis of Human Sertoli in Patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

“…The peptide hormones utilized in this research were discovered to be involved in the endocrine, paracrine, or autocrine control of testicular cells [ 24 ]. As a result, the membrane-associated proteases described here might be implicated in the metabolism and deactivation of these peptides [ 25 , 26 ]. In non-obstructive azoospermia, the gene ATPase phospholipid transporter 9A (ATP9A) was upregulated, whereas the ring finger and WD repeat domain 3 (RFWD3) and phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class K (PIGK) were downregulated.…”

Active chemical fractions of stem bark extract of Khaya grandifoliola C.DC and Entada africana Guill. et Perr. synergistically protect primary rat hepatocytes against paracetamol-induced damage

“…Cell viability of rat hepatocytes was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay as described by Monsees et al [ 14 ]. After incubation, cells were washed with 500 μl of phosphate-buffer saline and 300 μl of MTT dissolved in PBS at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml was added to the cell cultures.…”