Expression of multiple connexins in the rat epididymis  indicates a complex regulation of gap junctional communication

Dufresne, Julie; Finnson, Kenneth W.; Gregory, Mary; Cyr, Daniel G.

doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00111.2002

Cited by 54 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…However, the expression of Cx26 was not observed in the IS (Seo et al, 2010), implying functional discrimination between the IS and the rest of the epididymis. Expression patterns of some Cx genes in the epididymis during the first 3 months of the postnatal period were examined by Dufresne et al (2003). Similar to our current and previous findings (Han and Lee, 2013), they reported differential expression patterns of Cx26, Cx31.1, Cx32, and Cx43 between the head of the epididymis and the cauda epididymis .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…The presence of several Cxs transcripts in the epididymis has been evaluated in previous studies (Cry, 2011;Han and Lee, 2013). These Cxs include Cx26, Cx30.3,Cx31,Cx31.1,Cx32,Cx37,Cx40,Cx43,and Cx45. Comparison analyses of Cx genes expression between the head and tail part of the epididymis from 7 to 91 days of postnatal age conducted by Dufresne et al (2003) demonstrated segmental-specific and postnatal age-differentiated expression patterns of Cx genes in the epididymis. The epididymis is divided into an initial segment (IS), caput epididymis (head), corpus epididymis (body), and cauda epididymis (tail) based on morphological and functional aspects (Arrotéia et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Differential Expression of Multiple Connexins in Rat Corpus and Cauda Epididymis at Various Postnatal Stages

Lee¹

2013

Journal of Animal Science and Technology

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Direct cell-cell communication via the transfer of small molecules between neighboring cells in tissue is accomplished by gap junctions composed of various connexins (Cxs). Proper postnatal development of the epididymis is important for acquisition of male reproduction. The epididymal epithelium is composed of several cell types, and some of these cells are connected by gap junctions. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of Cx transcripts in the corpus and cauda epididymis. In addition, transcriptional changes of Cxs expressed during different postnatal stages were examined by real-time PCR analysis. In both epididymal regions, the same nine Cx transcripts of thirteen Cxs tested were detected. In the corpus epididymis, the highest levels of Cxs31.1 and 37 transcripts were observed at 45 days of age, and amounts of Cxs26, 30.3, and 32 transcripts increased with age and subsequently decreased in the elderly. Expression of Cx31 was greatly increased in the adult and elder stages, while Cxs40, 43, and 45 were abundant in the early postnatal stages. In the cauda epididymis, expression of Cxs26, 30.3, 31.1, 37, and 40 reached the highest levels at 5 months of age. The levels of Cxs31 and 32 mRNAs fluctuated throughout the postnatal period. The amounts of Cxs43 and 45 transcripts were more abundant during the late neonatal and prepubertal ages than later ages. These findings suggest that regional specification of the epididymis is partly regulated by differential expression of Cx genes during the postnatal developmental period.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Differential Expression of Multiple Connexins in Rat Corpus and Cauda Epididymis at Various Postnatal Stages

Lee¹

2013

Journal of Animal Science and Technology

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“…Indeed, our present study shows the expression change of several Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages. Dufresne et al (2003) have also demonstrated similar findings in the rat epididymis.…”

Section: Direct Intercellular Communication Throughsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…The localization of Cx isoforms in the epididymis has been studied (Cyr et al, 1996;Dufresne et al, 2003). Cx43 is between the principal and basal cells in the caput epididymis and does not exist between adjacent principal cells (Cyr et al, 1996).…”

Section: Direct Intercellular Communication Throughmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Expression Patterns of Connexin Isoforms in the Rat Caput Epididymis During Postnatal Development

Han¹,

Lee²

2013

Journal of Animal Science and Technology

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Intercellular interactions are important for the proper development and regulation of tissue function. This is especially necessary in the epididymis, a part of male reproductive tract where sperm become mature and acquire their fertilizing capacity. The caput region of the epididymis consists of several types of cells, including principal, basal, and apical cells. Direct intercellular communication is thus required to precisely regulate the functions of the caput epididymis. In this regard, connexin (Cx) is a molecule that forms channels, which allow the direct exchange of small molecules between cells, enabling intercellular communication. In this study, the expression of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages was determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nine of 13 Cx isoforms were detected. The transcript levels of Cx30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 40 were highest at 45 days of age, while the expression of Cx43 and 45 gradually decreased with age. A substantial fluctuation of Cx26 expression was detected, with significant decreases before and during puberty, followed by a transient increase at adult-hood and rapid decreases at an old age. A significant increase in Cx37 transcript was observed at 25 days of age, followed by gradual decreases at adult and old ages. These results indicate the significant differential expression of various Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis during postnatal development. It further suggests that the functional regulation and developmental maturation of the caput epididymis are highly related to the postnatal age-related differential expression of Cx isoforms.

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“…67 Adherens junctions, desmosomes and gap junctions are found in the epididymis. 61,62,68 Of the connexins considered primary tumour suppressors, Cx26, Cx32 69 and Cx43 70 have been localized in the gap junctions of the rat epididymis.…”

Section: Other Junctionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why are epididymal tumours so rare?

Yeung¹,

Wang²,

Cooper³

2012

Asian J Androl

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Epididymal tumour incidence is at most 0.03% of all male cancers. It is an enigma why the human epididymis does not often succumb to cancer, when it expresses markers of stem and cancer cells, and constitutively expresses oncogenes, pro-proliferative and pro-angiogenic factors that allow tumour cells to escape immunosurveillance in cancer-prone tissues. The privileged position of the human epididymis in evading tumourigenicity is reflected in transgenic mouse models in which induction of tumours in other organs is not accompanied by epididymal neoplasia. The epididymis appears to: (i) prevent tumour initiation (it probably lacks stem cells and has strong anti-oxidative mechanisms, active tumour suppressors and inactive oncogene products); (ii) foster tumour monitoring and destruction (by strong immuno-surveillance and -eradication, and cellular senescence); (iii) avert proliferation and angiogenesis (with persistent tight junctions, the presence of anti-angiogenic factors and misplaced pro-angiogenic factors), which together (iv) promote dormancy and restrict dividing cells to hyperplasia. Epididymal cells may be rendered non-responsive to oncogenic stimuli by the constitutive expression of factors generally inducible in tumours, and resistant to the normal epididymal environment, which mimics that of a tumour niche promoting tumour growth. The threshold for tumour initiation may thus be higher in the epididymis than in other organs. Several anti-tumour mechanisms are those that maintain spermatozoa quiescent and immunologically silent, so the low incidence of cancer in the epididymis may be a consequence of its role in sperm maturation and storage. Understanding these mechanisms may throw light on cancer prevention and therapy in general.

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Expression of multiple connexins in the rat epididymis indicates a complex regulation of gap junctional communication

Cited by 54 publications

References 35 publications

Differential Expression of Multiple Connexins in Rat Corpus and Cauda Epididymis at Various Postnatal Stages

Differential Expression of Multiple Connexins in Rat Corpus and Cauda Epididymis at Various Postnatal Stages

The Expression Patterns of Connexin Isoforms in the Rat Caput Epididymis During Postnatal Development

Why are epididymal tumours so rare?

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