Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that opioid peptides are present within the testis and appear to serve as paracrine or autocrine regulators of testicular function. The principal investigator has now obtained new evidence for the expression of an mRNA for the opioid peptide precursor, proenkephalin, in the rat testis. The size of this testicular preproenkephalin mRNA is unique, being substantially larger than preproenkephalin mRNAs from any tissue previously examined.
The specific aims of this proposal are to: (1) identify the cell types that express preproenkephalin-like mRNA and proenkephalin-derived peptides in rat testis; (2) characterize the primary translation product derived from testicular preproenkephalin-like mRNA; (3) determine the nucleotide sequence of preproenkephalin-like mRNA in the rat testis; (4) characterize the peptide products derived from the testicular preproenkephalin-like protein. These studies will define the nature of preproenkephalin mRNA and protein in the rat testis and will be essential for future projected investigations into the cellular sites of action and the hormonal regulation of proenkephalin gene expression in this tissue.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK036468-03
Application #
3234891
Study Section
Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section (BCE)
Project Start
1986-02-01
Project End
1989-06-30
Budget Start
1988-02-01
Budget End
1989-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Shrewsbury
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01545

  Publications

Wang, Hang; San Agustin, Jovenal T; Witman, George B et al. (2004) Novel role for a sterol response element binding protein in directing spermatogenic cell-specific gene expression. Mol Cell Biol 24:10681-8
Wang, Hang; Liu, Feng; Millette, Clarke F et al. (2002) Expression of a novel, sterol-insensitive form of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) in male germ cells suggests important cell- and stage-specific functions for SREBP targets during spermatogenesis. Mol Cell Biol 22:8478-90
Persengiev, S P; Li, J; Poulin, M L et al. (2001) E2F2 converts reversibly differentiated PC12 cells to an irreversible, neurotrophin-dependent state. Oncogene 20:5124-31
Liu, F; Kondova, I; Kilpatrick, D L (2000) Detection of PACH1, a nuclear factor implicated in the transcriptional regulation of meiotic and early haploid stages of spermatogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 57:224-31
Persengiev, S P; Kondova, I I; Kilpatrick, D L (1999) E2F4 actively promotes the initiation and maintenance of nerve growth factor-induced cell differentiation. Mol Cell Biol 19:6048-56
Chang, B B; Persengiev, S P; de Diego, J G et al. (1998) Proximal promoter sequences mediate cell-specific and elevated expression of the favorable prognosis marker TrkA in human neuroblastoma cells. J Biol Chem 273:39-44
Liu, F; Tokeson, J; Persengiev, S P et al. (1997) Novel repeat elements direct rat proenkephalin transcription during spermatogenesis. J Biol Chem 272:5056-62
Persengiev, S P; Kondova, I I; Millette, C F et al. (1997) Gli family members are differentially expressed during the mitotic phase of spermatogenesis. Oncogene 14:2259-64
Persengiev, S P; Robert, S; Kilpatrick, D L (1996) Transcription of the TATA binding protein gene is highly up-regulated during spermatogenesis. Mol Endocrinol 10:742-7
Poluha, W; Poluha, D K; Chang, B et al. (1996) The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1) is required for survival of differentiating neuroblastoma cells. Mol Cell Biol 16:1335-41

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