Testosterone secretion is affected by receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit and anoctamin 1 activation in mouse Leydig cells

Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit, a marker found on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), is expressed in Leydig cells, which are testicular interstitial cells. The expression of other ICC markers has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the expression of c-Kit and anoctamin 1 (ANO1), another ICC marker, in mouse testes. In addition, the relationship between c-Kit and ANO1 expression and Leydig cell function was investigated. We observed that c-Kit and ANO1 were predominantly expressed in mouse Leydig cells. The mRNA and protein of c-Kit and ANO1 were expressed in TM3, a mouse Leydig cell line. LH induced an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration, membrane depolarization, and testosterone secretion, whereas these signals were inhibited in the presence of c-Kit and ANO1 inhibitors. These results show that c-Kit and ANO1 are expressed in Leydig cells and are involved in testosterone secretion. Our findings suggest that Leydig cells may act as ICCs in testosterone secretion.

Expression of TASK-1 channel in mouse Leydig cells

“…Leydig cells express both c-Kit and ANO1 (Ko et al, 2022). The co-localization of TASK-1 with c-Kit and ANO-1 strongly argues that TASK-1 is expressed in Leydig cells.…”

“…While they lack typical excitability, control of membrane potential and ion channel activity is crucial for testosterone secretion. In our previous study, LH induced an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration, membrane depolarization, and testosterone secretion (Ko et al, 2022). The link between membrane depolarization and testosterone secretion suggest that depolarization by ion channel modulation may cause testosterone to be secreted.…”