DD–RT–PCR identifies 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase as a key marker of early Leydig cell steroidogenesis

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2004-04, Vol.219 (1), p.37-45
• Main Authors: Anbalagan, M, Yashwanth, R, Jagannadha Rao, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 7-DHCR; Animals; Biomarkers - analysis; Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Col IV α6; Collagen Type IV - genetics; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Cyclosporine - pharmacology; DD–RT–PCR; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutathione Transferase - genetics; Leydig cell; Leydig Cells - drug effects; Leydig Cells - enzymology; Leydig Cells - metabolism; Luteinizing Hormone - analysis; Luteinizing Hormone - immunology; Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism; Male; Mesylates - pharmacology; mGST 1; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors - genetics; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; RpL41; Stem Cells - metabolism; Steroids - metabolism; Testosterone - blood; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - metabolism
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2004.02.002

Postnatal Leydig cell development in rat involves an initial phase of proliferation of progenitor Leydig cells (PLCs) and subsequent differentiation of these cells into immature Leydig cells (ILCs) and adult Leydig cells (ALCs). With an objective to identify the molecular changes associated with Leydig cell differentiation, the mRNA population in PLCs and ILCs were analyzed by the technique of differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (DD–RT–PCR). Results revealed differential expression of several transcripts in PLCs and ILCs. Of the several differentially expressed transcripts, the expression of transcripts corresponding to collagen IV α6 (Col IV α6) and ribosomal protein L 41 (RpL41) decreased during the differentiation of PLC to ILC. Also there was an increase in the expression of transcripts encoding enzymes such as microsomal glutathione-S-transferase (mGST 1) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (7-DHCR) during this process. While Col IV α6 and RpL41 are known to be involved in cellular proliferation, mGST 1 and 7-DHCR are essential for normal Leydig cell steroidogenesis. A detailed study on 7-DHCR expression in Leydig cells revealed that this enzyme plays a crucial role in steroidogenesis. Interestingly expression of this enzyme is not under acute regulation by Luteinizing hormone (LH).