Actions of extracellular matrix on Sertoli cell morphology and function

Biology of Reproduction
C T Anthony, M K Skinner

Abstract

Sertoli cells were isolated and cultured in the absence or presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) to determine whether ECM may influence Sertoli cell function on a molecular level. As previously described, a morphological analysis of the cells indicated that ECM allows the expression of a columnar histotype and the formation of junctional complexes. The combined actions of ECM and hormones were found to have a profound effect in promoting the expression of a polarized Sertoli cell morphology. In our investigation of the effects of ECM on Sertoli cells, we used transferrin and androgen-binding protein (ABP) production as biochemical markers of Sertoli cell function. The presence of ECM was found to cause a 25% increase in the basal level of transferrin production; however, ECM had no effect on the basal level of ABP production by Sertoli cells. Regulatory agents such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a combination of FSH, insulin, retinol, and testosterone stimulated the production of both transferrin and ABP. The ability of hormones to stimulate these Sertoli cell functions was not influenced by the presence of ECM. Similar results were obtained with 2-microns- or 50-microns-thick ECM and with a seminiferous tubule biom...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 1, 1990·In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology : Journal of the Tissue Culture Association·D J Merchant
Jan 1, 1992·Life Sciences·S S RaychoudhuryA W Blackshaw
May 1, 1994·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·E HoebenG Verhoeven
Jun 6, 1998·Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity·M Galdieri, G Ricci
Apr 1, 1990·International Journal of Andrology·N C Mills
Jun 28, 2006·Anatomical Science International·Futoshi YazamaNobuyo Maeda
Jun 1, 1995·In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Animal·G DiramiM Dym
May 18, 1999·Experimental Cell Research·G RicciM Galdieri
Aug 1, 1992·Experimental Cell Research·M C HofmannJ L Millán
Jan 1, 1992·Microscopy Research and Technique·R M Pelletier, S W Byers
Jan 28, 2020·The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry : Official Journal of the Histochemistry Society·André da Costa VazSandra Maria Miraglia

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Actin-binding Proteins

Actin-binding proteins are a component of the actin cytoskeleton that play essential roles in cellular functions such as regulation of actin polymerization, maintenance of cell polarity, gene expression regulation, cell motility and many more functions. Discover the latest research on actin-binding proteins here.