Hormonal regulation of protein synthesis, secretion, and phosphorylation in cultured rat Sertoli cells.

The accumulation of two polypeptides, SCm1 and SCm2, in the medium of Sertoli cell cultures is enhanced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) but is unaffected by either the cAMP analog, N6,O2'-dibutyrl cAMP or luteinizing hormone. The assigned molecular weights of SCm1 and SCm2 differ from those of androgen-binding protein subunits or any other previously identified Sertoli cell secretory product. Incubation of Sertoli cell cultures with either FSH or N6,O2'-dibutyryl cAMP also stimulates the incorporation of [35S]methionine into two intracellular polypeptides, SCc1 and SCc2. In addition, the phosphorylation of three intracellular polypeptides, SCc3, SCc4, and SCc5, is intensified when Sertoli cell cultures are treated with either FSH or N6,O2'-dibutyryl cAMP. Based on these results and on previous work, we conclude that (i) SCm1 and SCm2 may, like androgen-binding protein, be secreted by Sertoli cells and function extracellularly while SCc1 and SCc2 are involved in FSH-dependent intracellular activity; (ii) SCc3, SCc4, and SCc5 are possible substrates for FSH-stimulated, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity; and (iii) SCc5 is an isoelectric variant of vimentin-type intermediate filament protein presumably involved in FSH- and N6,O2'-dibutyryl cAMP-induced Sertoli cell shape changes

Localization of androgen-binding protein in proliferating Sertoli cells in culture.

The peroxidase and immunofluorescent localization patterns of androgen-binding protein (ABP), a biological marker of Sertoli cell function, have been examined in cultured Sertoli cells isolated from 20- to 22-day-old rats. ABP immunoreactivity in the form of cytoplasmic granules of variable diameter was observed in Sertoli cells with characteristic lipid droplets and a colony-forming, epithelial-like growth pattern. Incubation of cultures with [3H]thymidine demonstrated that Sertoli cells continue to produce ABP while retaining their capability for synthesizing DNA and undergoing mitosis. A variable number of cultured Sertoli cells became morphologically transformed after exposure to follitropin (follicle-stimulating hormone) and pharmacological agents acting on cyclic nucleotide metabolism. The induced change in Sertoli cell shape coincided with a disappearance of ABP-containing granules from the cytoplasm. These observations demonstrate that localization of ABP by immunological techniques is a valuable tool for the characterization of structural and functional properties of Sertoli cell in culture