ICEECE2012 Poster Presentations Male Reproduction (63 abstracts)
Cellular distribution, regulated expression and functional role of the anorexigenic peptide, NUCB2/nesfatin-1, in the testis
D. Garcia-Galiano 1, , R. Pineda 1, , T. Ilhan 4 , J. Castellano 1, , F. Ruiz-Pino 1, , M. Sanchez-Garrido 1, , M. Vazquez 1, , S. Sangiao-Alvarellos 1 , A. Romero-Ruiz 1, , L. Pinilla 1, , C. Dieguez 2 , F. Gaytan 1, & M. Tena-Sempere 1,
1University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain; 2CIBERobn, Cordoba, Spain; 3IMIBIC, Cordoba, Spain; 4University of Uludag, Bursa, Turkey.
Nesfatin-1, product of the precursor NEFA/nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), was initially identified as anorectic hypothalamic neuropeptide, acting in a leptin-independent manner. In addition to its central role in the control of energy homeostasis, evidence has mounted recently that nesfatin-1 is also produced in peripheral metabolic tissues, such as pancreas, adipose and gut. Moreover, nesfatin-1 has been shown to participate in the control of body functions gated by whole-body energy homeostasis, including puberty onset. Yet, whether, as is the case for other metabolic neuropeptides, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 participates in the direct control of gonadal function remains unexplored. We document here for the first time the expression of NUCB2 mRNA in rat, mouse and human testes, where NUCB2/nesfatin-1 protein was identified in interstitial mature Leydig cells. Yet, in rats NUCB2/nesfatin-1 became expressed in Sertoli cells upon Leydig cell elimination, and was also detected in Leydig cell progenitors. While NUCB2 mRNA levels did not overtly change in rat testis during pubertal maturation and after short-term fasting, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 content significantly increased along puberty-to-adult transition and was markedly suppressed following fasting. In addition, testicular NUCB2/nesfatin-1 expression was up-regulated by pituitary LH, since hypophysectomy decreased, whereas human choriogonadotropin (hCG; super-agonist of LH receptors) replacement enhanced, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 mRNA and peptide levels. Finally, nesfatin-1 increased hCG-stimulated testosterone secretion by rat testicular explants ex vivo. Our data are the first to disclose the presence and functional role of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the testis, where its expression is regulated by developmental, metabolic and hormonal cues, as well as by Leydig cell-derived factors. Our observations expand the reproductive dimension of nesfatin-1, which may operate directly at the testicular level to link energy homeostasis, puberty onset and gonadal function.
Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.
Funding: This work was supported, however funding details unavailable.
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Endocrine Abstracts
ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)
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