LEPTIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF GENES RELATED TO LIPID STORAGE IN SERTOLI CELLS

MARINA ERCILIA DASSO; GUSTAVO RINDONE; AGOSTINA GORGA; CECILA CENTOLA; ELIANA PELLIZARI; MARIA DEL CARMEN CAMBEROS; MARIA NOEL GALARDO; SILVINA MERONI; FERNANDA RIERA

Mar del Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires

Congreso; LXVI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2021

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC)

Sertoli cells (SC) are necessary to provide an adequate environment for germ cell development. SC actively metabolize glucose but most of it is converted to lactate, an energy source for germ cells. SC also oxidize fatty acids (FA) to sustain their energy status. SC have numerous lipid droplets (LD), which are thought to be the site of storage of FA. In this context, we have demonstrated that leptin (Lep), an adipokine that is present in the testis, increases triacylglycerols (TAGs) and LD content in SC. Several proteins such as the FA transporter FAT/CD36, the enzymes involved in the synthesis of TAGs (glycerol-phosphate-acyl-transferases (GPATs) and diacylglycerol-acyl-transferase 1 (DGAT)), and the proteins associated with LD formation (PLINs) have a role in lipid storage. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of Lep on the expression of proteins involved in FA storage. SC isolated from 20-day-old rats were cultured and maintained under basal conditions (B) or stimulated with Lep (100 ng/ml). mRNA levels of FAT/CD36, GPAT1-4, DGAT1 and PLIN1-3 were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Results are expressed as mean±SD, n=3, (* p