Angiotensinogen expression by rat epididymis: evidence for an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system

Leung, P. S., Wong, T. P. and Sernia, C. (1999) Angiotensinogen expression by rat epididymis: evidence for an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 155 1-2: 115-122.


Author Leung, P. S.
Wong, T. P.
Sernia, C.
Title Angiotensinogen expression by rat epididymis: evidence for an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system
Journal name Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 1999
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/S0303-7207(99)00107-0
Volume number 155
Issue number 1-2
ISSN 0303-7207
Start page 115
End page 122
Total pages 8
Place of publication Ireland
Publisher Elsevier
Collection year 1999
Language eng
Subject C1
320603 Systems Physiology
780105 Biological sciences
Abstract Previous studies have suggested the presence of an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the rat epididymis with functions in epididymal activity and sperm maturation. In the present study, the localization and expression of angiotensinogen, the component of the RAS which is indispensable for intracellular angiotensin generation, were investigated by immunochemistry, hybridization histochemistry and by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot analysis of protein from the epididymis confirmed the presence of angiotensinogen with the expected molecular mass of about 60 kDa, in agreement with results from other tissues. Immunocytochemistry showed the regional localization of immunoreactivity for angiotensinogen in the rat epididymis. In situ hybridization histochemistry further demonstrated the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA by the epididymal epithelium in a region-specific manner along the length of the rat epididymis. RT-PCR confirmed that the rat epididymis expresses angiotensinogen mRNA. On the other hand, mRNA of renin was not detected in the rat epididymis using Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. The present study strongly supports the existence of an intrinsic, angiotensin-generating system based on locally formed angiotensinogen as a precursor for angiotensin production. This epididymal RAS may have paracrine or autocrine roles in mediating the epididymal and sperm functions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keyword Cell Biology
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Angiotensinogen
Renin
Renin-angiotensin System
Epididymis
Ii Receptors
Localization
Reproduction
Cloning
Cdna
Gene
Rna
Q-Index Code C1

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collection: School of Biomedical Sciences Publications
 
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