Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen and protein products of tumour suppressor genes in the human foetal testis

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 24 - 30
• Main Authors: Marić, S., Bulić-Jakuš, F., Ježek, D., Jurić-Lekić, G., Kos, M., Vlahović, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin, Germany Blackwell Verlag GmbH 01.02.2004; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Fetus; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human foetal testis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Leydig Cells - metabolism; Male; Male genital diseases; Mammalian male genital system; Medical sciences; Paraffin Embedding; Photogrammetry; proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - metabolism; Retinoblastoma Protein - metabolism; stereology; Testis - cytology; Testis - embryology; Testis - metabolism; tumour suppressor genes; Vertebrates: reproduction; Human; Reproduction; Human foetal testis-immunohistochemistry-proliferating cell nuclear antigen-stereology-tumour suppressor genes; Tumor; Testicle; Male genital system; PCNA antigen
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2003.00597.x

Tumour suppressor genes retinoblastoma (Rb1) and adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are involved in embryonic development. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of Rb1 protein, APC protein and PCNA during development of the human foetal testis. Qualitative analysis of their expression at the single‐cell level was performed using immunohistochemistry on archive samples of the foetal testis (18–37 gestation week). Stereological parameters (volume density, absolute volume, numerical density, absolute number) were calculated for quantification of the overall expression of those proteins that were expressed frequently enough for such an analysis. PCNA was frequently expressed in nuclei of immature Sertoli cells and prospermatogonia and less frequently in surrounding peritubular (myoid) and interstitial cells. The pRb1 protein was present in nuclei of prospermatogonia and Sertoli cells but was absent from the interstitial tissue. APC protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of a very small number of prospermatogonia and interstitial (Leydig) cells. The overall expression of PCNA in all stages of development was higher than pRb1 expression.