Streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases the interaction of Bad/Bcl-XL and decreases the binding of pBad/14-3-3 in rat testis

Life Sci. 2007 Sep 8;81(13):1079-84. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.08.017. Epub 2007 Aug 25.

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is frequently associated with diabetes in males. The present study was designed to evaluate whether streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases apoptotic cell death in rat testis through the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight) and testis samples were collected after 3 months. The number of positive cells for TUNEL histochemistry was significantly increased in the testicular germ cells of the diabetic group, compared to those of control. The levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L), anti-apoptotic proteins, were decreased in the diabetic group. In contrast, the levels of Bax and Bad, pro-apoptotic factors, were increased in the diabetic group, compared with the control group. Moreover, the diabetic condition increased the interaction of Bad and Bcl-X(L), and decreased the binding of pBad and 14-3-3. 14-3-3 acts as an anti-apoptotic factor through interaction with Bad. Our findings suggest that streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases apoptotic cell death in testis tissue through the up-and down-regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and the interaction of Bad and Bcl-X(L).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Death
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Germ Cells / metabolism*
  • Germ Cells / pathology
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Male
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Streptozocin
  • Testis / pathology
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein / metabolism*
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Bad protein, rat
  • Bcl2l1 protein, rat
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Streptozocin