Angiotensinogen expression by rat epididymis: evidence for an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system

Previous studies have suggested the presence of an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the rat epididymis with functions in epididymal activity and sperm maturation. In the present study, the localization and expression of angiotensinogen, the component of the RAS which is indispensable for...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 1999-09, Vol.155 (1), p.115-122
Main Authors: Leung, Po Sing, Wong, Tung Po, Sernia, Conrad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angiotensinogen
Angiotensinogen - genetics
Angiotensins - genetics
Animals
Epididymis
Epididymis - metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation
In Situ Hybridization
Male
Molecular Weight
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Renin
Renin - genetics
Renin-Angiotensin System
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger - genetics
Transcription, Genetic
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Previous studies have suggested the presence of an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the rat epididymis with functions in epididymal activity and sperm maturation. In the present study, the localization and expression of angiotensinogen, the component of the RAS which is indispensable for intracellular angiotensin generation, were investigated by immunochemistry, hybridization histochemistry and by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot analysis of protein from the epididymis confirmed the presence of angiotensinogen with the expected molecular mass of about 60 kDa, in agreement with results from other tissues. Immunocytochemistry showed the regional localization of immunoreactivity for angiotensinogen in the rat epididymis. In situ hybridization histochemistry further demonstrated the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA by the epididymal epithelium in a region-specific manner along the length of the rat epididymis. RT-PCR confirmed that the rat epididymis expresses angiotensinogen mRNA. On the other hand, mRNA of renin was not detected in the rat epididymis using Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. The present study strongly supports the existence of an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system based on locally formed angiotensinogen as a precursor for angiotensin production. This epididymal RAS may have paracrine or autocrine roles in mediating the epididymal and sperm functions.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/S0303-7207(99)00107-0