Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
권호 표지

Expression of galectin-3 in the testis and epididymis of mouse

생쥐 고환 및 부고환에서 galectin-3의 발현

  • Kim, Won-Jun (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Kim, Hwanglyong (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Joo, Hong-Gu (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Shin, Taekyun (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Lee, Yong-Duk (Korean Racing Authority) ;
  • Kim, Seungjoon (College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University)
  • Accepted : 2008.02.26
  • Published : 2008.03.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The testis and epididymis are important organs of the male reproductive system; the functionis to produce, mature, transport, and store sperm. It is important to understand the localization and expressionof specific proteins based for the studies of its physiological processes. In this study, we investigated theexpression and distribution of galectin-3, one of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, in the testis andepididymis of mouse using western blot and imunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis revealed that theexpression of galectin-3, 29 kDa protein, was low in the testis. In the epididymis, high expression wasdetected in the body and tail part, but moderate expression in the head part. By immunohistochemicalanalysis, we found that positive localization of galectin-3 was detected in some myoid cells and Leydigin the epithelium of epididymis, especially in the epithelium of both body and tail of epididymis. Collectively,these results suggest that galectin-3 is constitutively expressed in the testis and epididymis of mouse withvarying intensity, and the role of galectin-3 in the male reproductive organ may be involved in the specificfunction of its structures.

Keywords

References

  1. Barondes SH, Cooper DNW, Gitt MA, Leffler H. Galectins. Structure and function of a large family of animal lectins. J Biol Chem 1994, 269, 20807-20810
  2. Cecchinelli B, Lavra L, Rinaldo C, Iacovelli S, Gurtner A, Gasbarri A, Ulivieri A, Del Prete F, Trovato M, Piaggio G, Bartolazzi A, Soddu S, Sciacchitano S. Repression of the antiapoptotic molecule galectin-3 by homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2-activated p53 is required for p53-induced apoptosis. Mol Cell Biol 2006, 26, 4746-4757 https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.00959-05
  3. Chen HY, Liu FT, Yang RY. Roles of galectin-3 in immune responses. Arch Immunol Ther Exp 2005, 53, 497-504
  4. Cooper DN. Galectinomics: finding themes in complexity. Biochim Biophys Acta 2002, 1572, 209-231 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4165(02)00310-0
  5. Davies B, Baumann C, Kirchhoff C, Ivell R, Nubbemeyer R, Habenicht UF, Theuring F, Gottwald U. Targeted deletion of the epididymal receptor HE6 results in fluid dysregulation and male infertility. Moll Cell Biol 2004, 24, 8642-8648 https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.24.19.8642-8648.2004
  6. Deschildre C, Ji JW, Chater S, Dacheux F, Selva J, Albert M, Bailly M, Hatey F, Benahmed M. Expression of galectin-3 and its regulation in the testes. Int J Androl 2007, 30, 28-40 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2006.00707.x
  7. Devouassoux-Shisheboran M, Deschildre C, Mauduit C, Berger G, Mejean-Lebreton F, Bouvier R, Droz JP, Fenichel P, Benahmed M. Expression of galectin- 3 in gonads and gonadal sex cord stromal and germ cell tumors. Oncol Rep 2006, 16, 335-340
  8. Gebhardt A, Ackermann W, Unver N, Elsasser HP. Expression of galectin-3 in the rat pancreas during regeneration following hormone-induced pancreatitis. Cell Tissue Res 2004, 315, 321-329 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-003-0850-x
  9. Hamilton DW, Wenstrom JC, Baker JB. Membrane glycoproteins from spermatozoa: partial characterization of an integral Mr = approximately 24,000 molecule from rat spermatozoa that is glycosylated during epididymal maturation. Biol Reprod 1986, 34, 925-936 https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod34.5.925
  10. Hsu DK, Liu FT. Regulation of cellular homeostasis by galectins. Glycoconj J 2004, 19, 507-515 https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GLYC.0000014080.95829.52
  11. Hughes RC. Secretion of the galectin family of mammalian carbohydrate-binding proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta 1999, 1473, 172-185 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4165(99)00177-4
  12. Jones RC. To store or mature spermatozoa? The primary role of the epididymis. Int J Androl 1999, 22, 55-67
  13. Karlsen AE, Storling ZM, Sparre T, Larsen MR, Mahmood A, Storling J, Roepstorff P, Wrzesinski K, Larsen PM, Fey S, Nielsen K, Heding P, Ricordi C, Johannesen J, Kristiansen OP, Christensen UB, Kockum I, Luthman H, Nerup J, Pociot F. Immunemediated beta-cell destruction in vitro and in vivo-A pivotal role for galectin-3. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006, 344, 406-415 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.03.105
  14. Kaltner H, Seyrek K, Heck A, Sinowatz F, Gabius H. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 in fetal development of bovine respiratory and digestive tracts. Comparison of cell type-specific expression profiles and subcellular localization. Cell Tissue Res 2002, 307, 35-46 https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410100457
  15. Kikuchi Y, Kobayashi S, Hemmi N, Ikee R, Hyodo N, Saigusa T, Namikoshi T, Yamada M, Suzuki S, Miura S. Galectin-3-positive cell infiltration in human diabetic nephropathy. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2004, 19, 602-607 https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfg603
  16. Kim H, Kang TY, Joo HG, Shin T. Immunohistochemical localization of galectin-3 in boar testis and epididymis. Acta Histochem 2006, 108, 481-485 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acthis.2006.09.009
  17. Kim H, Lee J, Hyun JW, Park JW, Joo HG, Shin T. Expression and immunohistochemical localization of galectin-3 in various mouse tissues. Cell Biol Int 2007, 31, 655-662 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellbi.2006.11.036
  18. Kirchhoff C. Molecular characterization of epididymal proteins. Rev Reprod 1998, 3, 86-95 https://doi.org/10.1530/ror.0.0030086
  19. Lee YG, Kang HE, Woo HJ. Expression of galectin- 3 in rat brain. Korean J Vet Res 2004, 44, 83-88
  20. Liu L, Sakai T, Sano N, Fukui K. Nucling mediates apoptosis by inhibiting expression of galectin-3 through interference with nuclear factor kB signaling. Biochem J 2004, 380, 31-41 https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20031300
  21. Moon BK, Lee YJ, Battle P, Jessup JM, Raz A, Kim HR. Galectin-3 protects human breast carcinoma cells against nitric oxide-induced apoptosis: implication of galectin-3 function during metastasis. Am J Pathol 2001, 159, 1055-1060 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9440(10)61780-4
  22. Nakahara S, Oka N, Raz A. On the role of galectin- 3 in cancer apoptosis. Apoptosis 2005, 10, 267-275 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-005-0801-y
  23. Nangia-Makker P, Nakahara S, Hogan V, Raz A. Galectin-3 in apoptosis, a novel therapeutic target. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2007, 39, 79-84 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-006-9063-9
  24. Nio J, Takahashi-Iwanaga H, Morimatsu M, Kon Y, Iwanaga T. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analysis of galectin-3, a beta-galactoside binding lectin, in the urinary system of adult mice. Histochem Cell Biol 2006, 126, 45-56 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-005-0142-5
  25. Reichert F, Rotshenker S. Galectin-3/MAC-2 in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Exp Neurol 1999, 160, 508-514 https://doi.org/10.1006/exnr.1999.7229
  26. Stillman BN, Hsu DK, Pang M, Brewer CF, Johnson P, Liu FT, Baum LG. Galectin-3 and galectin-1 bind distinct cell surface glycoprotein receptors to induce T cell death. J Immunol 2006, 176, 778-789 https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.176.2.778
  27. Turner TT. On the epididymis and its role in the development of the fertile ejaculate. J Androl 1995, 16, 292-298
  28. van den Brule F, Califice S, Castronovo V. Expression of galectins in cancer: a critical review. Glycoconj J 2004, 19, 537-542
  29. Wang L, Inohara H, Pienta KJ, Raz A. Galectin-3 is a nuclear matrix protein which binds RNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995, 217, 292-303 https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1995.2777
  30. Wollina U, Schreiber G, Gornig M, Feldrappe S, Burchert M, Gabius HJ. Sertoli cell expression of galectin-1 and -3 and accessible binding sites in normal human testis and Sertoli cell only-syndrome. Histol Histopathol 1999, 14, 779-784
  31. Yuan H, Liu A, Zhang L, Zhou H, Wang Y, Zhang H, Wang G, Zeng R, Zhang Y, Chen Z. Proteomic profiling of regionalized proteins in rat epididymis indicates consistency between specialized distribution and protein functions. J Proteome Res 2006, 5, 299-307 https://doi.org/10.1021/pr050324s