RGD Reference Report - Stage- and cell-specific expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase alpha and beta subunits, cGMP-dependent protein kinase I alpha and beta, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit 1 in the rat testis. - Rat Genome Database

Send us a Message



Submit Data |  Help |  Video Tutorials |  News |  Publications |  Download |  REST API |  Citing RGD |  Contact   

Stage- and cell-specific expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase alpha and beta subunits, cGMP-dependent protein kinase I alpha and beta, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit 1 in the rat testis.

Authors: Shi, F  Perez, E  Wang, T  Peitz, B  Lapolt, PS 
Citation: Shi F, etal., J Androl. 2005 Mar-Apr;26(2):258-63.
RGD ID: 1599621
Pubmed: PMID:15713832   (View Abstract at PubMed)

Several studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) modulate testicular function. In this study, we examined the expression of cGMP-dependent protein kinase G-I (PKG-I), and cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (CNG-1), 2 known mediators of cGMP action, and the expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) subunits in the rat testis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the alpha subunit of sGC was expressed in the blood vessels and Leydig cells of adult rat testes. In addition, the sGC alpha subunit was observed in the acrosomal structures of spermatids undergoing the middle and later stages of spermiogenesis, but not in mature spermatozoa. Similar localization and expression patterns were seen for the sGC beta subunit, indicating coexpression of the sGC subunits. PKG-I was expressed in blood vessels and in the acrosomal region of spermatids during the early and middle stages of spermiogenesis but was not observed in Leydig cells or in mature spermatozoa. In contrast to sGC and PKG-I, CNG-1 was expressed only in cytoplasm and the residual bodies of late-stage (17-19) spermatids, with no staining observed in blood vessels and Leydig cells. These results demonstrate that sGC, PKG-I, and CNG-1 are expressed in a stage- and cell-specific manner in the rat testis. The distinct temporal patterns of expression of these components of cGMP signaling pathways suggest different physiological roles for sGC, PKG-I, and CNG-1 in spermiogenesis and steroidogenesis.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
spermatid development  IEP 1599621 RGD 
spermatogenesis  IEP 1599621 RGD 

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
acrosomal vesicle  IDA 1599621 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Cnga1  (cyclic nucleotide gated channel subunit alpha 1)
Prkg1  (protein kinase cGMP-dependent 1)


Additional Information