RGD Reference Report - Localization of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and CFTR in the germinal epithelium of the testis, Sertoli cells, and spermatozoa.

General

Localization of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and CFTR in the germinal epithelium of the testis, Sertoli cells, and spermatozoa.
Authors:	Sharma, Sachin Hanukoglu, Aaron Hanukoglu, Israel
Citation:	Sharma S, etal., J Mol Histol. 2018 Apr;49(2):195-208. doi: 10.1007/s10735-018-9759-2. Epub 2018 Feb 16.
RGD ID:	13514091
Pubmed:	PMID:29453757 (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI:	DOI:10.1007/s10735-018-9759-2 (Journal Full-text)
Spermatogenesis starts within the seminiferous tubules of the testis by mitotic division of spermatogonia that produces spermatocytes. Meiotic division of these spermatocytes produces haploid spermatids that differentiate into spermatozoa. In this study, we examined the expression of ENaC and CFTR (a Cl-channel) in rat testicular sections using confocal microscopic immunofluorescence. The structural integrity of the seminiferous tubule sections was verified by precise phalloidin staining of the actin fibers located abundantly at both basal and adluminal tight junctions. The acrosome forming regions in the round spermatids were stained using an FITC coupled lectin (wheat germ agglutinin). In all phases of the germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids) ENaC was localized in cytoplasmic pools. Prior to spermiation, ENaC immunofluorescence appeared along the tails of the spermatids. In spermatozoa isolated from the epididymis, ENaC was localized at the acrosome and a central region of the sperm flagellum. The mature sperm are transcriptionally silent. Hence, we suggest that ENaC subunits in cytoplasmic pools in germ cells serve as the source of ENaC subunits located along the tail of spermatozoa. The locations of ENaC is compatible with a possible role in the acrosomal reaction and sperm mobility. In contrast to ENaC, CFTR immunofluorescence was most strongly observed specifically within the Sertoli cell nuclei. Based on the nuclear localization of CFTR we suggest that, in addition to its role as an ion channel, CFTR may have an independent role in gene regulation within the nuclei.

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Term	Qualifier	Evidence	With	Reference	Notes	Source	Original Reference(s)
acrosomal vesicle	located_in	IDA		13514091	PMID:29453757	UniProt
cytoplasm	located_in	IDA		13514091	PMID:29453757	UniProt
nucleus	located_in	IDA		13514091	PMID:29453757	UniProt
sperm principal piece	located_in	IDA		13514091	PMID:29453757	UniProt

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)

Cftr (CF transmembrane conductance regulator)

Scnn1a (sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit alpha)

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Localization of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and CFTR in the germinal epithelium of the testis, Sertoli cells, and spermatozoa.