Due to recent changes in operational resources, EHP and JHP are currently unable to consider new manuscript submissions for peer review or publication.

Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Open access
Research Article
1 April 1981

Factors affecting Sertoli cell function in the testis.

Publication: Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 38
Pages 5 - 10

Abstract

The Sertoli cell is the primary target for FSH action in the mammalian testis. These cells contain the majority of testicular plasma membrane receptors for this hormone. Receptor occupancy is directly correlated with a stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and a decrease in the activity of a cytoplasmic Ca++-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase. Regulation of these two enzymes allows increased intracellular accumulation of cAMP, activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphorylation of a variety of protein substrates. All of these events occur within the first 30 min following exposure of isolated Sertoli cells to FSH. RNA and protein synthesis are also enhanced by FSH. Previous studies have suggested that this gonadotropin may augment the overall cellular synthesis of proteins. Our results reveal that protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) is selectively elevated by FSH both in vivo and in vitro. PKI thus becomes the initial intracellular protein whose synthesis is under FSH control. In addition to effects on protein synthesis, FSH also positively modulates the secretion of several specific proteins. One of the proteins in this latter category is androgen binding protein (ABP). Again, regulation can be observed both in vivo and in vitro. Elevated synthesis of PKI occurs prior to demonstrable secretion of ABP. Both of these events occur subsequent to the effects of FSH on cAMP metabolism. Indeed cAMP (or any of several nonhydrolyzable derivatives) can substitute for FSH in vitro. The temporal sequence of events subsequent to hormone binding and cAMP production are identical, but occur more rapidly. Together these data support the hypothesis that most of the biochemical steps leading to the synthesis and secretion of proteins by FSH are regulated by elevated levels of cAMP.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 38April 1981
Pages: 5 - 10
PubMed: 6263610

History

Published online: 1 April 1981

Authors

Affiliations

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

About Article Metrics


Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click DOWNLOAD.

Cited by

View Options

View options

PDF

View PDF

Restore your content access

Enter your email address to restore your content access:

Note: This functionality works only for purchases done as a guest. If you already have an account, log in to access the content to which you are entitled.

Figures

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share on social media