SERTOLI-CELL LINES ESTABLISHED FROM H-2K(B)-TSA58 TRANSGENIC MICE DIFFERENTIALLY REGULATE THE EXPRESSION OF CELL-SPECIFIC GENES

Sertoli cell lines have been established from H-2K(b)-tsA58 transgenic mice carrying an inducible temperature-sensitive SV40 T antigen in th eir germline. All cell Lines tested for expression of Sertoli cell pro ducts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were shown to express mRNAs for alpha-inhibin, Steel factor, SGP-2, and transferrin as well as for androgen receptor and the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 . Selected cell lines were shown by immunocytochemistry to express the established Sertoli cell-specific pattern of cytoskeletal markers. Th e FSH receptor gene was also expressed, though downregulated by compar ison with in vivo levels of expression. In some lines low expression o f the luteinizing hormone receptor gene could also be detected. The ge ne for the transcription factor GATA-1, which is expressed specificall y in Sertoli cells, was expressed only in a subset of the cell lines. Quantitative analysis of SGP-2 transcript levels by ribonuclease prote ction assays showed an increase at the nonpermissive temperature, wher eas using a similar assay, Steel factor mRNA was shown to be expressed in amounts comparable to the in vivo situation only in two cell lines during permanent growth. In summary, cell lines that exhibit distinct Sertoli cell characteristics have been established, which may resembl e different stages of phenotypic development. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.