The structure of relaxin-like peptide expressed in the boar testis and the implication in testicular function via its receptor LGR8

2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20580308
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied animal science
• Research Institution: Shizuoka University
• Principal Investigator: KOHSAKA Tetsuya Shizuoka University, 農学部, 教授 (10186611)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2010
• Keywords: relaxin / RLF / LGR / testis

Research Abstract

This study has purified native relaxin-like peptide (RLF) from boar testes, and demonstrated for the first time at nay species that native RLF is secreted from the Leydig cells as a 12-kDa heterotrimeric proform structure consisting of an A-B-C-domain with site-specific disulphide bonds and full biological activity. RLF secreted from Leydig cells was released not only into the blood circulation, but also into the interstitial compartment and is transported into the seminiferous compartments, where its own receptor LGR8 was expressed, suggesting that RLF may function as a paracrine and an autocrine and/or endocrine factor on seminiferous germ cells and Leydig cells, respectively.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Evidence for expression of relaxin hormone-receptor system in the boar testis. (2010)
  • Author(s): Kato S, Siqin, Minagawa I, Aoshima T, Sagata D, Konishi H, Yogo K, Kawarasaki T, Sasada H, Tomogane H, Kohsaka T.
  • Journal Title: J.Endocrinol. 207 Pages: 135-149
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Partial cDNA sequence of a relaxin-like factor (RLF) receptor, LGR8 and possible existence of the RLF ligand-receptor system in goat testes. (2010)
  • Author(s): Siqin, Nakai M, Hagi T, Kato S, Pitia AM, M.Kotani, Y.Odanaka, Y.Sugawara, K.Hamano, K.Yogo, Y.Nagura, M.Fujita, H.Ssasada, E.Sato, Kohsaka T.
  • Journal Title: Anim.Sci.J. 81 Pages: 681-686
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Potential actions of relaxin and its related peptide on male reproductive processes in domestic animals. (2010)
  • Author(s): Kohsaka T, Yogo K, Mori M.
  • Journal Title: In : The 14th AAAP animal Science Congress Proceedings Vol 1 Pages: 259-263
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Zona pellucida protein ZP2 is expressed in the oocyte of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). (2010)
  • Author(s): Kinoshita M, Rodler D, Sugiura K, Matsushima K, Kansaku N, Tahara K, Tsukada A, Ono H, Yoshimura T, Yoshizaki N, Tanaka R, Kohsaka T, Sasanami T.
  • Journal Title: Reproduction 139 Pages: 359-371
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Identification of boar testis as a source and target tissue of relaxin. (2009)
  • Author(s): Kohsaka T, Kato S, Qin S, Minagawa I, Yogo K, Kawarasaki T, Sasada H.
  • Journal Title: Ann.N.Y.Acad.Sci. 1160 Pages: 194-196
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] ブタ精巣で発現するリラキシン関連因子(RLF)は生物活性を持った前駆体として単離され、内分泌、傍分泌または自己分泌因子として機能する (2010)
  • Author(s): 皆川至、高力宙、佐方醍、柴田昌利、河原崎達雄、高坂哲也
  • Organizer: 第103回日本繁殖生物学会大会
  • Place of Presentation: 北里大学獣医学部(十和田市)
  • Year and Date: 2010-09-02
• [Presentation] Potential actions of relaxin and its related peptide on male reproductive (2010)
  • Author(s): Kohsaka T, Yogo K, Mori M.
  • Organizer: processes in domestic animals.
  • Place of Presentation: 屏東科技大学(屏東市、台湾)
  • Year and Date: 2010-08-24
• [Presentation] Purification and characterization of testicular relaxin-like factor in boars. (2009)
  • Author(s): Kohsaka T, Minagawa I, Ishige H, Kohriki H, Yogo K, Kawarasaki T, Sasada H.
  • Organizer: The 3rd Asia-Pacific Forum on Andrology
  • Place of Presentation: 国際会議ホテル、南京、中国
  • Year and Date: 2009-10-12
• [Presentation] ブタ精巣で発現するリラキシン関連因子の単離とその特性 (2009)
  • Author(s): 皆川至、高力宙、石毛久子、与語圭一郎、河原崎達雄、高坂哲也
  • Organizer: 日本畜産学会
  • Place of Presentation: 琉球大学、沖縄
  • Year and Date: 2009-09-28
• [Presentation] Boar testis acts as a source and target tissue of relaxin. (2008)
  • Author(s): Kohsaka T, Kato S, Qin S, Minagawa I, Yogo K, Kawarasaki T, Sasada H.
  • Organizer: 5th International Conference on relaxin and related peptides.
  • Place of Presentation: Maui, Hawaii, USA
  • Year and Date: 2008-05-22