GPX3 - THE PLASMA-TYPE GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE IS EXPRESSED UNDER ANDROGENIC CONTROL IN THE MOUSE EPIDIDYMIS AND VAS-DEFERENS

We report here-using northern experiments, western blotting, and immun ohistochemistry-on the findings that the plasma type glutathione perox idase, GPx3, a major enzyme in reducing lipid hydroperoxides and hydro gen peroxide in plasma, is also expressed at significant levels in tis sues of the male genital tract including epididymis and vas deferens. Within the epididymis and the kidney, the accumulation of the GPx3 mRN A and protein were investigated during postnatal development and found to be temporally regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, we show here that androgen withdrawal by castration down regulates the expression of the GPx3 gene both in the epididymis and vas deferens w hile GPx3 expression in the. kidney was found to be androgen-independe nt. Finally, immunohistochemistry data reveals that within the epididy mis GPx3 distribution is quite peculiar suggesting the existence in th is organ of complex traductional and/or transcriptional regulatory pro cesses. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:362-372, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.