| First Author | Kwon J | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Exp Anim | Volume | 55 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 35-43 |
| PubMed ID | 16508210 | Mgi Jnum | J:107478 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3621308 | Doi | 10.1538/expanim.55.35 |
| Citation | Kwon J, et al. (2006) The region-specific functions of two ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase isozymes along the epididymis. Exp Anim 55(1):35-43 |
| abstractText | We previously showed that gad mice, which are deficient for ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), have a significantly increased number of defective spermatozoa, suggesting that UCH-L1 functions in sperm quality control during epididymal maturation. The epididymis is the site of spermatozoa maturation, transport and storage. Region-specific functions along the epididymis are essential for establishing the environment required for sperm maturation. We analyzed the region-specific expression of UCH-L1 and UCH-L3 along the epididymis, and also assessed the levels of ubiquitin, which has specificity for UCH-L1. In wild-type mice, western blot analysis demonstrated a high level of UCH-L1 expression in the caput epididymis, consistent with ubiquitin expression, whereas UCH-L3 expression was high in the cauda epididymis. We also investigated the function of UCH-L1 and UCH-L3 in epididymal apoptosis induced by efferent duct ligation. The caput epididymides of gad mice were resistant to apoptotic stress induced by efferent duct ligation, whereas Uchl3 knockout mice showed a marked increase in apoptotic cells following ligation. In conclusion, the response of gad and Uchl3 knockout mice to androgen withdrawal suggests a reciprocal function of the two UCH enzymes in the caput epididymis. |
