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Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, Vol. 48, 1023-1032, August 2000, Copyright © 2000, The Histochemical Society, Inc.

ARTICLE

The {alpha}4 Isoform of the Na,K-ATPase Is Expressed in the Germ Cells of the Testes

Gustavo Blancoa, Gladis Sáncheza, Roger J. Meltona, Warren G. Tourtellotteb, and Robert W. Mercera
a Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
b Department of Pathology and Neuroscience Institute, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois

Correspondence to: Gustavo Blanco, Dept. of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington U. School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110. E-mail: gblanco@cellbio.wustl.edu

In addition to the three isoforms of the catalytic subunit of the Na,K-ATPase originally identified ({alpha}1, {alpha}2, and {alpha}3), a fourth {alpha} polypeptide ({alpha}4) has recently been found in mammalian cells. This novel {alpha}-subunit of the Na,K-ATPase is selectively expressed in male gonadal tissues. In the testes, {alpha}4 is functionally active and comprises approximately half of the Na,K-ATPase activity of the organ. At present, the pattern of expression of the {alpha}4 polypeptide within the cells of the male gonad is unknown. By in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and the ouabain inhibition profile of Na,K-ATPase activity, we show that the {alpha}4-subunit is expressed in the germ cells of rat testes. The highest amounts of the isoform are found in spermatozoa, where it constitutes two thirds of the Na,K-ATPase activity of the gametes. The other Na pump present in the cells is the ubiquitously expressed {alpha}1 polypeptide. The characteristic localization of {alpha}4 in the gonad is further supported by the drastic reduction of the polypeptide in mice that are infertile as a consequence of arrest in maturation of the germ cells. In addition, GC-1spg cells, a murine cell line derived from testis spermatogonia, also contain the Na,K-ATPase {alpha}4 polypeptide. However, the level of expression of the isoform in these cells is much lower than in the spermatozoa, a fact that may depend on the limited ability of the GC-1spg cells to differentiate in vitro. The particular expression of the Na,K-ATPase {alpha}4 isoform we encounter and the specific enzymatic properties of the polypeptide suggests its importance for ionic homeostasis of the germ cells of the testes. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:1023–1032, 2000)

Key Words: Na,K-ATPase, isozymes, {alpha}4 isoform, testes, spermatozoa


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