IMMUNODETECTION OF CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES IN RAT SERTOLI-CELL CULTURES

PROBLEM: The presence of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in Sertoli cel ls has not been explored extensively. The expression of CAMs involved in cell-matrix and cell-to-cell interactions in Sertoli cell cultures was examined. METHOD OF STUDY: Immunohistochemical and Western blot te chniques were applied to rat Sertoli cell cultures using specific anti bodies to alpha(3), alpha(5), and alpha(6) integrin subunits; NCAM; an d cadherins. RESULTS: Expression of alpha(3) and alpha(6) integrin sub units (mainly laminin receptors) and lack of expression of as integrin subunit (fibronectin receptor) was observed in Sertoli cells by immun ohistochemistry. These cells also expressed neural CAM (NCAM) and N-ca dherin. By Western blot analysis, Sertoli cell extracts reacted with a ntibodies to alpha(3) integrin subunit revealed a band approximately 1 30 kDa, whereas no expression of alpha 5 integrin subunit was detected . Cell extracts incubated with antibodies to pan cadherin exhibited a band approximately 120 kDa, whereas bands of 180, 140, and 120 kDa wer e observed with antibodies to NCAM. CONCLUSION: New data about the exp ression of receptors for extracellular matrix proteins (alpha(3) and a lpha(6) integrin subunits) as well as cell-to-cell adhesion molecules (NCAM and cadherins) are reported in rat Sertoli cell cultures.