PUBLICATION

Functional characterization and expression analysis of the androgen receptor in zebrafish (Danio rerio) testis

Authors
de Waal, P., Wang, D., Nijenhuis, W., Schulz, R., and Bogerd, J.
ID
ZDB-PUB-080515-3
Date
2008
Source
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)   136(2): 225-234 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Bogerd, Jan
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Androstenes/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Gene Expression
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • RNA, Messenger/analysis
  • Receptors, Androgen/genetics*
  • Sertoli Cells/metabolism
  • Testis/chemistry
  • Testis/metabolism*
  • Testosterone/analogs & derivatives
  • Testosterone/metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
PubMed
18469035 Full text @ Reproduction
Abstract
The biological activity of androgens, important for male sexual differentiation and development, is mediated by the androgen receptor that binds to specific DNA recognition sites regulating the transcription of androgen target genes. We investigated androgen production by adult zebrafish testis tissue, and identified 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione, 11-ketoandrostenedione and 11-ketotestosterone as main products, and hence potential ligands, for the zebrafish androgen receptor (Ar). These androgens were then included in the pharmacological characterization of the zebrafish Ar. The zebrafish Ar responded well in terms of binding and transactivation to synthetic androgens as well as to testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, and reasonably well to 11-ketoandrostenedione and androstenedione. In situ hybridization analysis of zebrafish testis revealed that ar mRNA expression was detected in the subpopulation of Sertoli cells contacting early spermatogonia.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping