April - June 2018, Volume 14, Issue 2

Zhang T, Zheng T, Wang C, Zhang W, Jia D, Wang R, Qiao B

Effects of Wnt / ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Star D7 on Testosterone Synthesis

Acta Endo (Buc) 2018, 14 (2): 155-162
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2018.155

Background. This study aimed to assess the mechanism through which Wnt/ beta - catenin signaling pathway, and StarD7, prometes testosterone synthesis, and to explore a new pathway for the regulation of testosterone synthesis. Animals and Methods. Leydig cells were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups and treated with Annexin 5 in concentration of 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 nmol/L. Testosterone secretion, expression of StarD7, StarD7 mRNA, β-catenin and changes of β – catenin localization in Leydig cells of testis of rats were tested in the four groups. Results. mRNA and protein levels of StarD7 and β-catenin increased significantly, upon stimulation with 1 nmol/L annexin 5. Accumulation of β-catenin inside the cells and the nucleus, was observed by immunofluorescence staining, in cells treated with annexin 5. These findings indicate a possible role of StarD7 and β-catenin in the process of annexin5-mediated stimulation of testosterone synthesis. Conclusions. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and StarD7 are involved in the process of annexin5 stimulation of testosterone synthesis. Activation of Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway by Annexin5, and increase in StarD7 expression lead to elevated expression of key regulatory enzymes in testosterone synthesis, thus promoting testosterone synthesis.

Keywords: StarD7, ß-catenin, Testosterone Synthesis.

Correspondence: Baoping Qiao MD, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China, E-mail: qiaobaopingqbp@163.com