Localization of Receptors for Natriuretic Peptide and Endothelin in the Duct of the Epididymis of the Freshwater Turtle

Kim, S Z; Kang, Seon Young; Lee, S J; Cho, K W

doi:10.1006/gcen.1999.7445

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In contrast, the studies showed no significant expression of the so-called NPCR, which lacks GC activity and is involved in metabolic clearance of NPs (13). A role of NPs as humoral and autocrine or paracrine factors in regulating smooth muscle tone and thereby sperm transport has previously been suggested in the epididymal duct of the freshwater turtle (10). In addition, CNP was found to exert relaxation of the rabbit penis via augmentation of cGMP production (43).…”

Section: Guanylate Cyclases and Natriuretic Peptide Effectsmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…In the epididymis, localization of specific receptors for NPs in the epididymal duct of the turtle has been described (10). In addition, NOS expression was found in the epididymis of different species (22)(23)(24).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…9 for review). Likewise, a significant role of cGMP in the control of epididymal sperm transport has been suggested (10). The messenger molecule cGMP can be generated by different pathways, involving either the soluble (cytosolic) or the particulate (plasma membrane-localized) guanylate cyclase (sGC and pGC, respectively) (11).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Regulation of Spontaneous Contractile Activity in the Bovine Epididymal Duct by Cyclic Guanosine 5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Pathways

Mewe¹,

Bauer²,

Müller³

et al. 2006

Endocrinology

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Passage of spermatozoa through the epididymis is obligatory for sperm maturation processes and is based on spontaneous phasic contractions (SC) of the epididymal duct. Here, the functional role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling in modulating SC in the bovine epididymal caput and corpus region was examined by muscle tension recording and immunological and autoradiographic techniques. The cGMP-analog 8-bromo (Br)-cGMP, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside and the natriuretic peptides (NPs) atrial NP and C-type NP, displayed distally increasing SC-relaxant effects. In agreement, a distally increasing epididymal expression of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKG I), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and the atrial NP receptor was found. Immunoreactivity for PKG, soluble guanylate cyclase, and eNOS could be localized to the epididymal muscle cells as well as to the epithelial basal cells only at the corpus level. The SC-relevant action of NO and the NPs was cGMP dependent, and the action of 8-Br-cGMP, in turn, was modified by epithelial and luminal factors. The NOS inhibitor L-NAME (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) caused an increase in SC frequency, indicating basal activity of NO generating enzymes. The SC-inhibitory effect of 8-Br-cGMP was clearly reduced by the PKG inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cGMPS as well as by iberiotoxin, thapsigargin, and indomethacin, pointing to PKG as main SC-relevant target of cGMP, and to large-conductance calcium-activated K(+) channels, the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and cyclooxygenase-1 as possible targets of PKG. These data support an essential role of cGMP signaling in the control of epididymal peristalsis, thereby enabling fine tuning of sperm transport and maturation.

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Section: Guanylate Cyclases and Natriuretic Peptide Effectsmentioning

confidence: 83%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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Regulation of Spontaneous Contractile Activity in the Bovine Epididymal Duct by Cyclic Guanosine 5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Pathways

Mewe¹,

Bauer²,

Müller³

et al. 2006

Endocrinology

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“…Components of the cGMP signaling system, such as the ANP receptor GC-A, the CNP receptor GC-B and the NO-receptor sGC, have previously been described in the epididymis at the protein level of turtle, calf and rat [14], [32], [33]. Upon stimulation with the respective ligand, cGMP generation was observed [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Time-Lapse Imaging as a Tool to Investigate Contractility of the Epididymal Duct – Effects of Cgmp Signaling

et al. 2014

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The well orchestrated function of epididymal smooth muscle cells ensures transit of spermatozoa through the epididymal duct during which spermatozoa acquire motility and fertilizing capacity. Relaxation of smooth muscle cells is mediated by cGMP signaling and components of this pathway are found within the male reproductive tract. Whereas contractile function of caudal parts of the rat epididymal duct can be examined in organ bath studies, caput and corpus regions are fragile and make it difficult to mount them in an organ bath. We developed an ex vivo time-lapse imaging-based approach to investigate the contractile pattern in these parts of the epididymal duct. Collagen-embedding allowed immobilization without impeding contractility or diffusion of drugs towards the duct and therefore facilitated subsequent movie analyses. The contractile pattern was made visible by placing virtual sections through the acquired image stack to track wall movements over time. By this, simultaneous evaluation of contractile activity at different positions of the observed duct segment was possible. With each contraction translating into a spike, drug-induced alterations in contraction frequency could be assessed easily. Peristaltic contractions were also detectable and throughout all regions in the proximal epididymis we found regular spontaneous contractile activity that elicited movement of intraluminal contents. Stimulating cGMP production by natriuretic peptide ANP or inhibiting degradation of cGMP by the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil significantly reduced contractile frequency in isolated duct segments from caput and corpus. RT-PCR analysis after laser-capture microdissection localized the corresponding molecules to the smooth muscle layer of the duct. Our time-lapse imaging approach proved to be feasible to assess contractile function in all regions of the epididymal duct under near physiological conditions and provides a tool to evaluate acute (side) effects of drugs and to investigate various signaling pathways.

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“…Phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as caffeine or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine increase motility whenever examined (Depeiges & Dacheux, 1985;Gist et al, 2000), suggesting a cAMP-dependent mechanism for sperm motility. Other hormone receptors present in the reptilian epididymis include natriuretic peptide and endothelin receptors in the turtle Amyda japonica (Kim, Kang, Lee, & Cho, 2000). Other hormone receptors present in the reptilian epididymis include natriuretic peptide and endothelin receptors in the turtle Amyda japonica (Kim, Kang, Lee, & Cho, 2000).…”

Section: Epididymismentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormones and the Sex Ducts and Sex Accessory Structures of Reptiles

Gist

2011

Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates

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Localization of Receptors for Natriuretic Peptide and Endothelin in the Duct of the Epididymis of the Freshwater Turtle

Cited by 15 publications

References 38 publications

Regulation of Spontaneous Contractile Activity in the Bovine Epididymal Duct by Cyclic Guanosine 5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Pathways

Regulation of Spontaneous Contractile Activity in the Bovine Epididymal Duct by Cyclic Guanosine 5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Pathways

Time-Lapse Imaging as a Tool to Investigate Contractility of the Epididymal Duct – Effects of Cgmp Signaling

Hormones and the Sex Ducts and Sex Accessory Structures of Reptiles

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