Abstract
BackgroundMetastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), the founding member of the MTA family of genes, can modulate transcription by influencing the status of chromatin remodeling. Despite its strong correlation with the metastatic potential of cancer cells, MTA1 can also regulate crucial cellular pathways by modifying the acetylation status. We have previously reported the presence of MTA1/MTA1 in human and mouse testes, providing the evidence for its involvement in the regulation of testicular function during murine spermatogenesis. The objective of present study was to further assess the localization of MTA1 in mouse epididymis on both transcriptional and translational level, and then to explore whether MTA1 expression is regulated by androgens and postnatal epididymal development.Methodology/Principal FindingsMice were deprived of circulating androgen by bilaterally castration and were then supplemented with exogenous testosterone propionate for one week. MTA1 was immunolocalized in the epithelium of the entire epididymis with the maximal expression in the nuclei of principal cells and of clear cells in proximal region. Its expression decreased gradually after castration, whereas testosterone treatment could restore the expression, indicating that the expression of this gene is dependent on androgen. During postnatal development, the protein expression in the epididymis began to appear from day 7 to day 14, increased dramatically from postnatal day 28, and peaked at adulthood onwards, coinciding with both the well differentiated status of epididymis and the mature levels of circulating androgens. This region- and cell-specific pattern was also conservative in normal human epididymis.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the expression of MTA1 protein could be regulated by androgen pathway and its expression level is closely associated with the postnatal development of the epididymis, giving rise to the possibility that this gene plays a potential role in sperm maturation and fertility.
Highlights
Mammalian epididymis is a highly specialized male reproductive organ and it can be grossly divided into the initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda on the basis of histological and structural differences [1]
Our data suggest that the expression of Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) protein could be regulated by androgen pathway and its expression level is closely associated with the postnatal development of the epididymis, giving rise to the possibility that this gene plays a potential role in sperm maturation and fertility
MTA1 was expressed in all different segments of epididymis at both transcriptional and translational levels
Summary
Mammalian epididymis is a highly specialized male reproductive organ and it can be grossly divided into the initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda on the basis of histological and structural differences [1]. We demonstrated that overexpression of MTA1 in vitro could remarkably elevate the capability of spermatogenic tumor cells against heat-induced apoptosis, with a marked impairment of p53 expression [13,14]. These observations strongly indicate that MTA1 expression may be indispensable for reproductive function. The objective of present study was to further assess the localization of MTA1 in mouse epididymis on both transcriptional and translational level, and to explore whether MTA1 expression is regulated by androgens and postnatal epididymal development
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