Calcium handling and secretion in Leydig cells

• Grant number: 10/16600-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2011
• End date: January 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Cellular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Wamberto Antonio Varanda
• Grantee: Wamberto Antonio Varanda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Roberta Ribeiro Costa Rosales

Abstract

This project is concerned with ion transport in Leydig cells aiming at an understanding of the role played by specific receptors and ionic currents in the physiological processes carried out by those cells. On one side, the project is devoted to an analysis of the cellular handling of calcium ions concerned with its spacial distribution and its role in steroidogenesis. On the other side, the project aims at an understanding of the pathways involved in the migration of calcium ions and the biochemical processes which controls them. The whole cell mode of the patch clamp technique will be used to analyze the ion channels involved in the physiology of the Leydig cells and current molecular biology techniques to identify receptors and biochemical pathways that controls them. Fluorescent calcium sensitive dyes coupled to confocal microscopy, will bring information on the changes in intracellular calcium concentrations induced by agents known interfere with steroidogenesis. The expected results should broaden our understanding about the processes that couple excitation (essencially Luteinizing Hormone action) to testosterone secretion. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

COELHO, V. A.; CREMONEZ, C. M.; ANJOLETTE, F. A. P.; AGUIAR, J. F.; VARANDA, W. A.; ARANTES, E. C.. Functional and structural study comparing the C-terminal amidated beta-neurotoxin Ts1 with its isoform Ts1-G isolated from Tityus serrulatus venom. Toxicon, v. 83, p. 15-21, JUN 1 2014. (10/16600-9, 08/07373-9, 08/10761-0)

TENORIO, BRUNO MENDES; DA SILVA, REGINALDO PEREIRA; ANGELO MENDES TENORIO, FERNANDA DAS CHAGAS; COSTA ROSALES, ROBERTA RIBEIRO; DA SILVA JUNIOR, VALDEMIRO AMARO; NOGUEIRA, ROMILDO DE ALBUQUERQUE. Effect of heat stress and Hsp90 inhibition on T-type calcium currents and voltage-dependent potassium currents in leydig cells. Journal of Thermal Biology, v. 84, p. 1-7, AUG 2019. (10/16600-9)

DA SILVA, M. P.; VENTURA, R. R.; VARANDA, W. A.. HYPERTONICITY INCREASES NO PRODUCTION TO MODULATE THE FIRING RATE OF MAGNOCELLULAR NEURONS OF THE SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS OF RATS. Neuroscience, v. 250, p. 70-79, OCT 10 2013. (10/16600-9, 06/50954-7)