Expression of galectin-3 in the testis and epididymis of mouse

Kim, Won-Jun; Kim, Hwanglyong; Joo, Hong-Gu; Shin, Taekyun; Lee, Yong-Duk; Kim, Seungjoon

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2008;48(1):1-8.

Won-Jun Kim¹, Hwanglyong Kim¹, Hong-Gu Joo¹, Taekyun Shin¹, Yong-Duk Lee², Seungjoon Kim³

¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University
²Korean Racing Authority
³College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University

생쥐 고환 및 부고환에서 galectin-3의 발현

김원준¹, 김황룡¹, 주홍구¹, 신태균¹, 이용덕², 김승준³

¹제주대학교 수의과대학
²한국마사회 장수육성목장
³경북대학교 수의과대학

Abstract

The testis and epididymis are important organs of the male reproductive system; the functionis to produce, mature, transport, and store sperm. It is important to understand the localization and expressionof specific proteins based for the studies of its physiological processes. In this study, we investigated theexpression and distribution of galectin-3, one of beta-galactoside-binding proteins, in the testis andepididymis of mouse using western blot and imunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis revealed that theexpression of galectin-3, 29 kDa protein, was low in the testis. In the epididymis, high expression wasdetected in the body and tail part, but moderate expression in the head part. By immunohistochemicalanalysis, we found that positive localization of galectin-3 was detected in some myoid cells and Leydigin the epithelium of epididymis, especially in the epithelium of both body and tail of epididymis. Collectively,these results suggest that galectin-3 is constitutively expressed in the testis and epididymis of mouse withvarying intensity, and the role of galectin-3 in the male reproductive organ may be involved in the specificfunction of its structures.

Key Words: epididymis, galectin-3, mouse, testis