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Lee KH. Aberrant Expression of Cx Isoforms in the Adult Caput Epididymis exposed to Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide at the Weaning. Dev Reprod 2017; 21:379-389. [PMID: 29354784 PMCID: PMC5769132 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2017.21.4.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Connexin (Cx) involves in the regulation of various physiological functions of tissue by forming a channel, a gap junction which allows direct cell-cell communication, between adjacent cells. The effect of a single subcutaneous treatment of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age on the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis was evaluated in this research. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, a low-dose of EB [0.015 μg/kg body weight (BW)] caused significant decreases of Cx30.3, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA levels and no change of Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx37 transcript levels. The treatment of a high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg BW) resulted in reduced expression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx43, and Cx45 but increased expression of Cx37 and Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms examined, except Cx31, was significantly increased by the treatment of a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg BW). However, the treatment of a high-dose Flu (5 mg/kg BW) led significant expressional suppression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 but an increase of Cx37 transcript level. With the comparison of previous findings, the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult epididymis after the exposure to EB or Flu is likely differentially regulated in regional-specific and/or exposed postnatal age-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea
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Lee KH. Expressional Changes of Connexin Isoform Genes in the Rat Caput Epididymis Exposed to Flutamide or Estradiol Benzoate at the Early Postnatal Age. Dev Reprod 2017; 21:317-325. [PMID: 29082347 PMCID: PMC5651698 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2017.21.3.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Direct communication between neighboring cells through connexin
(Cx)-based gap junction is a crucial biolo–gical manner to
regulate functions of a tissue consisting of multi-cell types. The present
research evaluated expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the
caput epididymis of adult rat exposed to estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide
(Flu) at the early postnatal age. A single subcutaneous administration of EB at
a low-dose [0.015 µg /kg body weight (BW)] or a high-dose (1.5 µg/kg BW) or Flu
at a low-dose (500 µg/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg/kg BW) was performed to an
animal at 1 week of age. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to
determine expressional changes of Cx isoforms. The transcript
levels of Cxs30.3 and 37 were decreased by a low-dose EB
treatment, while decreases of Cxs31, 31.1, 32, 40, and 45
transcript levels were observed with a low-dose EB treatment. The treatment of a
high-dose EB resulted in expressional reduction of Cxs30.3, 31,
31.1, 37, 40, 43, and 45. The Flu treatment at a low dose caused increases of
Cxs26, 37, and 40 transcript levels but decreases of
Cxs31.1, 43, and 45 transcript levels. Increases of
Cxs30.3, 31, 37, and 40 mRNA amounts were induced by a
high-dose Flu treatment. However, exposure to a high-dose Flu produced
expressional decreases of Cxs31.1, 32, and 43 in the adult
caput epididymis. These observations suggest that exposure to EB or Flu at the
neonatal period could lead to aberrant expression of Cx
isoforms in the adult caput epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee KH. Effects of Exposure to Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide at the Weaning Age on Expression of Connexins in the Caudal Epididymis of Adult Rat. Dev Reprod 2016; 20:349-357. [PMID: 28144639 PMCID: PMC5270609 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2016.20.4.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic
agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on
the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male
rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose (0.015
µg of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose (1.5 µg of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose (500 µg of
EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in
the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a
low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31,
Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of
Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure
to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no
significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of
Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except
Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional
increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The
current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during
the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of
Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee KH. Changes in Expression of Connexin Isoforms in the Caudal Epididymis of Adult Sprague-Dawley Rats exposed to Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide at the Neonatal Age. Dev Reprod 2016; 20:237-245. [PMID: 27796005 PMCID: PMC5078149 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2016.20.3.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Direct communication between neighboring cells via gap junction in tissue is important for maintenance and regulation of its physiological functions. Each epididymal region has different composition of cell types. It is well recognized that the epididymis is a steroid hormone-responsive tissue. The present study was designed to determine the effect of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide exposured at the early postnatal age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis. The EB or flutamide was subcutaneously administrated to male Spragure Dawley rat at 7 days of age, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The treatment of low-dose EB resulted in decreases of Cx30.3, Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression but caused an increase of Cx32 expression. Exposure to high-dose EB led into expressional increases of Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, and Cx43, even though a decrease of Cx37 expression was found with a high-dose EB treatment. A low-dose flutamide induced increases of Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, and Cx43 expression but a decrease of Cx37 expression. Expression of most Cx genes were significantly increased by a high-dose flutamide, while no expressional change of Cx26 and Cx40 was detected by a high-dose flutamide. These results indicate that expression of Cx isoforms in the caudal epididymis is altered by exposure to steroidal compounds at the prepubertal age. It is suggested that a contact with environmental exogenous materials during the early postnatal period would lead to alteration of epididymal functions at the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee KH. Modification of Gene Expression of Connexins in the Rat Corpus Epididymis by Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide Exposure at the Early Neonatal Age. Dev Reprod 2016; 19:69-77. [PMID: 27004263 PMCID: PMC4801050 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2015.19.2.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose (0.015 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee SK, Lee KH. Aberrant Expression of Connexin Isoforms in the Corpus Epididymis of the Adult Rat by Exposure to Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide at the Weaning Age. Dev Reprod 2016; 19:217-26. [PMID: 26973973 PMCID: PMC4786483 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2015.19.4.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A proper development of the epididymis during the early postnatal development is required for successful fertility in the adult male. Direct cell-cell communication via connexin (Cx) molecules is a common way of cellular interactions to achieve normal development of a given tissue consisting of different cell types. The present research was attempted to determine the effect of exogenous exposure to estrogenic agonist or antiandrogen at the weaning age on expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis. Male rats were subcutaneously administrated with estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age. The tissue was collected at 4 months of age. Expressional levels of Cx isoforms were determined by a quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical comparison showed significant increases of Cxs31, 32, 37, 40, and 43 transcript amounts by a treatment of 0.015 mg of EB /kg body weight (BW). A treatment of 1.5 μg of EB /kg BW caused a significant decrease of Cx43 gene expression but increases of Cxs26, 31, 32, 37, and 40 transcript levels. Exposure to 500 mg of Flu/kg BW induced an increase of Cx37 expression but significant decreases of Cxs43 and 45 mRNA levels. Expression of Cx37 was increased by a treatment of 5 mg of Flu/kg BW, while transcript levels of Cxs26, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 43 were significantly decreased by same treatment. These results demonstrate that exposure to steroidal compounds at the early developmental age alters expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Kyu Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
| | - Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee KH. Exogenous exposure to estradiol benzoate or flutamide at the weaning age alters expression of connexin isoforms in the initial segment of male rat. Dev Reprod 2015. [PMID: 25949209 PMCID: PMC4415663 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2015.19.1.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB (0.015 μg/kg body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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Lee KH. Expressional Modulation of Connexin Isoforms in the Initial Segment of Male Rat treated with Estradiol Benzoate or Flutamide. Dev Reprod 2015. [PMID: 25949200 PMCID: PMC4415647 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2014.18.4.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an andevrepogen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at 0.015 μg/kg body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 μg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of 500 μg Flu/kg BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of 500 μg Flu/kg BW. A treatment of 50 mg Flu/kg BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Ho Lee
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea
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