GONADAL-STEROIDS REGULATE N-CADHERIN MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS IN THE MOUSE TESTIS

N-cadherin is a testicular, calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule w hich is believed to play a role in mediating Sertoli cell-germ cell in teractions. The regulators of N-cadherin levers in the testis and othe r tissues have not been identified. We have examined the ability of st eroids to influence testicular N-cadherin mRNA levels in vivo. Immatur e mice were injected with either testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or 17-beta estradiol. Testosterone and 17-beta estradiol caused a rapid a nd significant increase in the levels of all N-cadherin mRNA species p resent in the testis. In contrast, dihydrotestosterone had no effect o n the levels of the N-cadherin mRNA species. Furthermore, the aromatas e inhibitor, 4-androstenol-4-ol-3,17-dione acetate, was capable of blo cking the ability of testosterone to stimulate testicular N-cadherin m RNA levels. The stimulatory action of testosterone on the N-cadherin m RNA levels thus appears to be dependent on it being converted to estro gen. These results demonstrate that 17-beta estradiol is a potent stim ulator of N-cadherin mRNA levels in vivo. This report represents the f irst demonstration of a potential physiological role for 17-beta estra diol in the testis.