The ductus deferens-specific proteomeThe ductus deferens, also known as vas deferens is a part of the male reproductive system. Its primary function is to transport sperm cells from the epididymis to the ampulla close to the seminal vesicles and out to the urethra. Transcriptome analysis shows that 74% (n=14550) of all human proteins (n=19670) are expressed in the ductus deferens and 115 of these genes show an elevated expression in ductus deferens compared to other tissue types. The ductus deferens transcriptomeTranscriptome analysis of the ductus deferens can be visualized with regard to specificity and distribution of transcribed mRNA molecules (Figure 1). Specificity illustrates the number of genes with elevated or non-elevated expression in the ductus deferens compared to other tissues. Elevated expression includes three subcategory types of elevated expression:
Distribution, on the other hand, visualizes how many genes that have, or do not have, detectable levels (NX≥1) of transcribed mRNA molecules in the ductus deferens compared to other tissues. As evident in Table 1, all genes elevated in ductus deferens are categorized as:
A. Specificity B. Distribution Figure 1. (A) The distribution of all genes across the five categories based on transcript specificity in ductus deferens as well as in all other tissues. (B) The distribution of all genes across the six categories, based on transcript detection (NX≥1) in ductus deferens as well as in all other tissues. As shown in Figure 1, 115 genes show some level of elevated expression in smooth muscle compared to other tissues. The three categories of genes with elevated expression in ductus deferens compared to other organs are shown in Table1. Table 1. Number of genes in the subdivided categories of elevated expression in ductus deferens.
Gene expression shared between ductus deferens and other tissuesThere are 34 group enriched genes expressed in ductus deferens. Group enriched genes are defined as genes showing a 4-fold higher average level of mRNA expression in a group of 2-5 tissues, including ductus deferens, compared to all other tissues. In order to illustrate the relation of ductus deferens tissue to other tissue types, a network plot was generated, displaying the number of genes with shared expression between different tissue types.
Figure 2. An interactive network plot of the ductus deferens enriched and group enriched genes connected to their respective enriched tissues (grey circles). Red nodes represent the number of ductus deferens enriched genes and orange nodes represent the number of genes that are group enriched. The sizes of the red and orange nodes are related to the number of genes displayed within the node. Each node is clickable and results in a list of all enriched genes connected to the highlighted edges. The network is limited to group enriched genes in combinations of up to 3 tissues, but the resulting lists show the complete set of group enriched genes in the particular tissue. Ductus deferens share most group enriched gene expression with the seminal vesicle and epididymis. Two genes that are group enriched in both ductus deferens and seminal vesicle are SEMG1 and SEMG2 The proteins that are encoded by the genes SEMG1 and SEMG2 are the predominant proteins in semen. These secreted proteins are involved in the formation of a gel matrix that encases ejaculated spermatozoa. The preproproteins of SEMG1 and SEMG2 are proteolytically processed by the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protease to generate multiple peptide products that exhibit distinct functions. One of these peptides is an antimicrobial peptide with antibacterial activity. This proteolysis process also breaks down the gel matrix and allows the spermatozoa to move more freely.
The first line of defense against invading pathogens is the antimicrobial proteins. A vast majority of these proteins are produced and secreted by immune cells, phagocytic, dendritic cells and by all cavity-lining epithelial cells in the body. The beta defensin gene family are diverse, antimicrobial and antiviral peptides that have evolved through repeated gene duplication, and are found in most vertebrates. One of the defensins in epididymis, which also is group enriched in ductus deferens, is DEFB132. Another gene that is group enriched in ductus deferens and epididymis is EDDM3A. The protein product of this gene is synthesized and secreted by epididymal epithelial cells and is a part of the microenvironment that is taking care of the sperm maturation processes.
The ductus deferens anatomy and functionThe ductus deferens primary function is to transport sperm cells from the epididymis to the ampulla close to the seminal vesicles and out to the urethra. The ductus deferens also store sperm before ejaculation. The tubes are approximately 30 centimeters long and begins at the end of epididymis posterior to the scrotum and ascends to the urinary bladder where it passes and descends towards the prostate and seminal vesicles. The end of the ducts is called the ampulla, which is a region where the tubes get wider in diameter. The walls within the ductus deferens consists of smooth muscle with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium and elastin fibers bundles. These muscles contract with peristaltic movements when ejaculation is anticipated and is forcing the sperm cells forward. Before the sperm enters the urethra it collects fluids from the prostate and the seminal vesicle to complete the ejaculate. The sperm can be stored in the ducts awaiting ejaculation and old, unused sperm cells will be broken down and absorbed in the ducts. BackgroundHere, the protein-coding genes expressed in ductus deferens are described and characterized, together with examples of immunohistochemically stained tissue sections that visualize corresponding protein expression patterns of genes with elevated expression in ductus deferens.
Relevant links and publications Uhlén M et al, 2015. Tissue-based map of the human proteome. Science |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Project
The Human Protein Atlas
The Human Protein Atlas project is funded
MENU
