Expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in the rat male accessory sex organs and epididymis

Desai, Kartiki V and Flanders, Kathleen C and Kondaiah, Paturu (1998) Expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in the rat male accessory sex organs and epididymis. In: Cell and Tissue Research, 294 (2). pp. 271-277.

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Abstract

We studied the expression and distribution of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms in the rat male accessory sex glands and the epididymis. Our data demonstrate the expression of both TGF-beta 1 and -beta 3 isoforms in ventral prostate (VP), seminal vesicle (SV), coagulating gland (CG), and epididymis (E) by Northern blot analysis. In addition, there was differential expression of TGF-beta 3 in the three regions of epididymis, the corpus region being the highest. Immunostaining data showed intense staining for latent TGF-beta 1 in all the male accessory glands. In contrast, no staining using antibodies specific for active TGF-beta 1 was observed. No expression of TGF-beta 2 was evident either by immunohistochemistry or Northern blot analysis. The presence of mature TGF-beta 3 protein was observed in the secretory epithelium of VP, CG, and corpus E. There was no detectable staining of TGF-beta 3 in the seminal vesicle and caput and cauda regions of epididymis. These data suggest possible differential regulation of TGF-beta isoform expression in the male reproductive system and predict unique roles for individual TGF-beta isoforms in sperm maturation and maintenance.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Cell and Tissue Research
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to Springer-Verlag.
Keywords:	Coagulating gland;Epididymis;Gene expression;Prostate;Seminal vesicle;Rat (Wistar)
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2004
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:15
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/1398

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