Analysis of dymanics and function of Sertoli cell intercellular junction

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In fiscal year of 2005, antibodies against proteins, which are expressed at ectoplasmic specialization between Sertoli cell and spermatids, were micro-injected into lumina of seminiferous tubules. In addition to the experiments, estrogens, estrogen like chemicals, anti-estrogen such as ICI 182.780, anti-androgen such as flutamide were administered to adult male mice and the ectoplasmic specializations were examined. As the results, ICI 182.780 and flutamide induced tyrosin phosphorylation of cortactin which is expressed at the specialization. On the other hand, 17beta-estradiol, bisphenol A and diethylstilbestrol decreased expression of cortactin. These results have already been published.In fiscal year of 2006, micro-injection experiments were mainly performed. Anti-nectin-2 antibody, anti-nectin-3 antibody, anti-afadin antibody were micro-injected into lumina of seminiferous tubules, and ultrastructural changes of ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli cell and spermatids were observed. As the results, anti-nectin-2 antibody and anti-nectin-3 antibody showed similar effects: Actin layers at the specialization were deleted, and mature spermatids were exfoliated from seminiferous epithelia (premature spermiation). No ultrastructural changes were observed after micro-injection of anti-afadin antibody. The results suggest that biological function of the specialization is holding mature spermatids until spermiation. The results are now in preparation for publication.