The Region-Specific Functions of Two Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase Isozymes along the Epididymis

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  • KWON Jungkee
    Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Laboratory of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University
  • SEKIGUCHI Satoshi
    Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • WANG Yu-Lai
    Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
  • SETSUIE Rieko
    Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
  • YOSHIKAWA Yasuhiro
    Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
  • WADA Keiji
    Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

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  • Region Specific Functions of Two Ubiquitin C Terminal Hydrolase Isozymes along the Epididymis

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Abstract

We previously showed that gad mice, which are deficient for ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), have a significantly increased number of defective spermatozoa, suggesting that UCH-L1 functions in sperm quality control during epididymal maturation. The epididymis is the site of spermatozoa maturation, transport and storage. Region-specific functions along the epididymis are essential for establishing the environment required for sperm maturation. We analyzed the region-specific expression of UCH-L1 and UCH-L3 along the epididymis, and also assessed the levels of ubiquitin, which has specificity for UCH-L1. In wild-type mice, western blot analysis demonstrated a high level of UCH-L1 expression in the caput epididymis, consistent with ubiquitin expression, whereas UCH-L3 expression was high in the cauda epididymis. We also investigated the function of UCH-L1 and UCH-L3 in epididymal apoptosis induced by efferent duct ligation. The caput epididymides of gad mice were resistant to apoptotic stress induced by efferent duct ligation, whereas Uchl3 knockout mice showed a marked increase in apoptotic cells following ligation. In conclusion, the response of gad and Uchl3 knockout mice to androgen withdrawal suggests a reciprocal function of the two UCH enzymes in the caput epididymis.<br>

Journal

  • Experimental Animals

    Experimental Animals 55 (1), 35-43, 2006

    Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science

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