US EPA

7459446 

Journal Article 

Effect of Microcystin-LR on cell viability and apoptosis-related proteins in primary cultured sertoli cells for 48h 

Li, J; Wang, Q; Li, H; Li, Y; Xue, L; Zhuang, D; Cheng, X; Zhang, H 

2014 

1 

Life Science Journal
ISSN: 1097-8135 

Zhengzhou University 

11 

12 

704-710 

English 

10.7537/marslsj111214.132 

Microcystins (MCs) are a group of cyclic heptapeptide toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria threatened to human health, which have more than 90 identified analogues. Microcystin-LR(MC-LR), with a leucine and an arginine in its molecular structure, is the most toxic and extensively studied. Some recent studies have suggested that the gonad is the second most important target organ of MCs. However, the potential mechanism of reproductive toxicity has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on cell viability and apoptosis-related apoptosis in primary cultured Sertoli cells of rats after treated with different concentrations of MC-LR. The results of cell viability using MTT method and NR method indicated that the cell viability of Sertoli cell increased in low concentration groups (0.02~1μg/ml) and decreased in high concentration groups (10, 20μg/ml) after exposed to MC-LR for 48h. After cells were exposed to 1μg/ml MC-LR for 48h, the level of P53 protein increased but had no significant difference (P>0.05), the level of Bax protein significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the level of Bcl-2 protein significantly increased (P<0.05). When cells were exposed to 10μg/ml MC-LR, the level of P53 and Bax protein in sertoli cells significantly increased (P<0.05), and the level of Bcl-2 protein significantly decreased (P<0.05). After Sertoli cells were exposed to MC-LR for 48h, Caspase-3 activity significantly increased when cells were exposed 10μg/ml MC-LR (P<0.05).These results indicated low concentrations (0.02~1μg/ml) MCLR had stimulation effect and enhanced cell viability, high concentrations (10, 20μg/ml) MC-LR had suppression effect on cell viability. MC-LR can induce apoptosis in primary cultured Sertoli cells. Apoptosis related-proteins P53, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 played a regulatory role in MC-LR-induced apoptosis of testicular Sertoli cells. © 2014, Zhengzhou University. All rights reserved. 

Apoptosis; Microcystin-LR; Proteins; Sertoli cells