RESUMO
Platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PAF), a potent signaling phospholipid, has a significant role in preimplantation embryo development. CFW mouse embryos respond to PAF with improved development and implantation rates. PAF's signal transduction mechanism in other cell types is receptor mediated. However, embryonic mRNA for the PAF receptor has not been detected. The study objectives were to determine the presence of PAF receptor mRNA in CFW mouse two-cell embryos by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis and to ascertain the effect of PAF on intracellular calcium levels (a receptor-mediated event). Total RNA was purified by acid-phenol extraction and ethanol precipitation. Complementary DNA was synthesized by RT. RNA was primed with oligo-dT plus PAF receptor-specific primer (3' to 5') at 42 degrees C for 60 min, 95 degrees C for 10 min, and 5 degrees C for 5 min. The RT product was amplified with Taq polymerase and PAF receptor-specific primer (5' to 3') at 94 degrees C for 5 min and 54 degrees C for 5 min for one cycle, and at 72 degrees C for 3 min, 93 degrees C for 90 sec, and 61 degrees C for 150 sec for 30 cycles followed by 72 degrees C for 10 min and then holding at 4 degrees C. The product was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, producing a single band (610 base pairs [bp]), thus demonstrating the presence of PAF-receptor mRNA. Sequence analysis of the cloned 610-bp fragment confirmed that it is the PAF receptor. Northern blot analysis also confirmed the expression of the PAF receptor in the CFW mouse preimplantation two-cell-stage embryo. PAF treatment of the two-cell-stage CFW mouse embryo resulted in a fourfold increase in intracellular calcium over background levels.
Assuntos
Fase de Clivagem do Zigoto/metabolismo , Fator de Ativação de Plaquetas/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas da Membrana de Plaquetas/metabolismo , Receptores de Superfície Celular , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Fase de Clivagem do Zigoto/efeitos dos fármacos , Clonagem Molecular , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Líquido Intracelular/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Fator de Ativação de Plaquetas/farmacologia , Glicoproteínas da Membrana de Plaquetas/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Gravidez , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
The purpose of the present study is to purify, kinetically characterize and measure the amount of soluble acid beta-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) in different anatomical regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) of the adult rat epididymis. Based upon SDS-PAGE analysis, the subunit molecular mass of the caput and cauda enzyme is approximately 85,000 daltons while the corpus enzyme is approximately 50,000 daltons. The apparent Km and Vmax values are 67, 24, and 59 microM and 5.0, 1.88 and 6.3 microM/min./-mg protein for the enzyme purified from the caput, corpus, and cauda regions of the epididymis, respectively. However, no regional differences in the amount of soluble enzyme protein are observed. These data demonstrates regional differences in the activity of epididymal acid beta-D-galactosidase and suggest that the observed regional differences in enzyme activity may be due to posttranslational modifications.
Assuntos
Epididimo/enzimologia , beta-Galactosidase/biossíntese , Animais , Cromatografia em Gel , Indução Enzimática , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Epididimo/ultraestrutura , Glicosilação , Cinética , Masculino , Peso Molecular , Processamento de Proteína Pós-Traducional , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
An affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) from adult rat epididymis was used to develop an ELISA, to localize tissue antigen by immunocytochemistry, and to identify isoforms of the enzyme by Western blot analysis. While peak activity level was measured in the corpus region of the epididymis, the quantity of soluble enzyme protein was highest in the caput region. Luminal caput sperm were intensely immunopositive, whereas epithelial cells were weakly stained. The enzyme was localized to epithelial and sperm cells of the corpus and caudal regions. In the testis, the enzyme was restricted primarily to lymphatic spaces. Testicular cells were unreactive, but spermatids were weakly stained. Western blot analysis revealed three prominent immune-reactive protein variants of approximately 63 kDa, approximately 55 kDa, and approximately 31 kDa. The approximately 31-kDa immune-reactive protein variant was reduced by > 84% in the caput epididymis compared to the cauda and corpus regions. These data suggest that regional differences in N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase activity in the rat epididymis may be due to differences in cellular synthesis and/or posttranslational processing of the enzyme.
