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Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat spermatids: implication for the site of action of antispermatogenic agents.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gong, XD; Li, JC; Cheung, KH; Leung, GP; Chew, SB; Wong, PY
Published in: Molecular human reproduction
August 2001

To establish whether cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is functionally expressed in the testis, we subjected spermatogenic cells from rat testes to analysis of CFTR mRNA, protein and channel activity. CFTR mRNA was detected in the testes of mature but not immature rats using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Western blot analysis performed with a CFTR specific antibody revealed immunoreactivity in the membrane extract of spermatogenic cells. Immunohistochemical studies localized CFTR in round and elongated spermatids, but not in the fully developed spermatozoa. Using a whole-cell patch clamp technique, we recorded an inward current activated by intracellular cAMP (100 micromol/l) in round spermatids. The current displayed a linear I / V relationship and was inhibited by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC), a chloride channel blocker. Transfection of the rat germ cell CFTR cDNA into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells caused the expression of a cAMP-activated chloride current with CFTR characteristics. The current was completely blocked by the antispermatogenic agents 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-indazole-3-carboxylic acid, lonidamine (500 micromol/l) and 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-indazole-3-acrylic acid, AF2785 (250 micromol/l). These results taken together provide evidence that CFTR is differentially expressed in spermatids during spermiogenesis. We speculate that CFTR may interact with aquaporin to bring about cytoplasmic volume contraction which is an essential feature of spermiogenesis.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Molecular human reproduction

ISSN

1360-9947

Publication Date

August 2001

Volume

7

Issue

8

Start / End Page

705 / 713

Location

england

Related Subject Headings

  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
  • 0606 Physiology
 

Citation

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Gong, X. D., Li, J. C., Cheung, K. H., Leung, G. P., Chew, S. B., & Wong, P. Y. (2001). Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat spermatids: implication for the site of action of antispermatogenic agents. Molecular Human Reproduction, 7(8), 705–713.
Gong, X. D., J. C. Li, K. H. Cheung, G. P. Leung, S. B. Chew, and P. Y. Wong. “Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat spermatids: implication for the site of action of antispermatogenic agents.Molecular Human Reproduction 7, no. 8 (August 2001): 705–13.
Gong XD, Li JC, Cheung KH, Leung GP, Chew SB, Wong PY. Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat spermatids: implication for the site of action of antispermatogenic agents. Molecular human reproduction. 2001 Aug;7(8):705–13.
Gong XD, Li JC, Cheung KH, Leung GP, Chew SB, Wong PY. Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat spermatids: implication for the site of action of antispermatogenic agents. Molecular human reproduction. 2001 Aug;7(8):705–713.
Journal cover image

Published In

Molecular human reproduction

ISSN

1360-9947

Publication Date

August 2001

Volume

7

Issue

8

Start / End Page

705 / 713

Location

england

Related Subject Headings

  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
  • 0606 Physiology