Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 Is Expressed in Mouse Pituitary Gonadotropes <i>In Vivo</i> and Gonadotrope Cell Lines <i>In Vitro</i>

Abstract

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a fundamental role in regulating various biological activities. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is a deubiquitinating enzyme, belonging to the UPS. To date, it has been reported that UCH-L1 is highly and restrictedly expressed in neural and reproductive tissues and plays significant roles in these organs. Although the expression of UCH-L1 in the anterior pituitary gland has been reported, the detailed localization and the role of UCH-L1 remain obscure. In the present study, we detected UCH-L1 protein exclusively in hormone-producing cells, but not non-hormone producing folliculostellate cells in the anterior pituitary lobe. In addition, the cytoplasmic expression of UCH-L1 varied and was limited to gonadotropes and mammotropes. To investigate the role of UCH-L1 in anterior pituitary cells, we performed a comparative analysis using genetically UCH-L1-deficient gad mice. Significant decreases in the numbers of gonadotropes and mammotropes were observed in gad mice, suggesting a close involvement of UCH-L1 in these cells. Moreover, we also determined the expression of UCH-L1 in cultured gonadotropes. Taken together, this is the first report to definitely demonstrate the presence of UCH-L1 in mouse anterior pituitary gland, and our results might provide a novel insight for better understanding the role of UCH-L1 in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and in the reproduction.

Cell Type- and Sex-Dependent Transcriptome Profiles of Rat Anterior Pituitary Cells

“…This analysis shows that two endogenous pituitary cell populations, FSC and HPC, express several common marker genes, including Pitx1, Pitx2 , and some neuroendocrine markers, but each population is also characterized by specific marker genes. Consistent with the literature, our analysis confirms that Resp18 (50) , Uchl1 (51), and Snap25 (52) are good cell markers for all HPC. It has been reported that Chgb (53), Ptprn2 (54), Scg2 (55), and Syp (56) are expressed in some HPC types, but here we show that these genes are marker genes for all HPC.…”

Characterisation of a mural cell network in the murine pituitary gland

“…However, immunogold electron microscopy for PDGFRβ shows that it is localised to cells with ultrastructural characteristics of both folliculostellate cells and pericytes. Previous studies (including those using the same antibody as that employed in the present study) have shown S100 staining in the pituitary, 28‐34 although these S100‐positive cleft cells are often defined as ‘folliculostellate cells’ but do not show staining throughout the parenchyma. Interestingly, Allaerts et al 35 note that they do not observe S100 staining in the mouse pituitary.…”

Multivariate Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injury: Development of an Assessment Score

“…For example, GFAP is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and the liver ( 58 ), BDNF and NSE are concentrated in platelets ( 59 , 60 ) and S100b is expressed in adipocytes and the GI tract ( 61 , 62 ). Similarly, ubiquitin carboxy terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1, PGP9.5), an emerging prototype TBI biomarker, is expressed in the endometrium and secretory cells of the pituitary gland ( 63 – 66 ). Accordingly, the concept of a brain-specific response must be qualified when considering TBI biomarker proteins and should include the potential contribution of poly trauma to a biomarker signature.…”