Objective To study the association between the −58T/C polymorphism in the promoter and the 181T/C polymorphism in the exon 2 of the bradykinin β2 receptor gene (BDKRB2) gene and essential hypertension disease (EH) in Chongqing. Design and methods In this research 95 patients of hypertension and 157 controls were enrolled to study the relationship between the polymorphism of BDKRB2 and essential hypertension. The genotypes of BDKRB2 were detected by sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) in all the subjects. The level of BDKRB2 mRNA was determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results There were significant differences in frequencies of allele and genotype in −58T/C polymorphisms between EH and control groups respectively (P<0.05). The relative risk of EH with the CC genotype was 3.5 times that of those with the TT genotype (P=0.004, OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.509–8.116). There were significant differences in frequencies of allele and genotype in 181T/C polymorphisms between EH and control groups respectively (P<0.05). The relative risk of EH with the CT+TT genotype was 3.4 times that of those with the CC genotype (P=0.012, OR=3.397, 95%CI: 1.304–8.850). There were significant differences both in SBP and DBP of different genotypes of −58T/C (pSBP=0.048, pDBP=0.008). There was no statistical difference between groups in 181T/C genotypes. Construction of −58T/C and 181T/C haplotype. The level of BDKRB2 mRNA had a significant difference between the EH group and the control group (P=0.000). Conclusion The polymorphism of BDKRB2 −58T/C might be associated with EH, and the C allele might be a marker for susceptibility of EH; the polymorphism of BDKRB2 181T/C might be associated with EH, and the T allele might be a marker for susceptibility of EH; −58T/C and 181T/C regulated blood pressure independently; the level of BDKRB2 mRNA in EH was lower than that in the control group.

We describe a novel epididymis-specific cDNA named Glb1l4, which was isolated from rat epididymis by differential display of mRNAs. Glb1l4 cDNA contains 2607 nucleotides and encodes a 637-amino acid protein with 50% similarity to mouse beta-galactosidase. The gene is located on chromosome 8q13, spanning 21 exons. Northern blot analysis reveals that Glb1l4 is specifically expressed in the caput region of epididymis and upregulated by androgen. A specific polyclonal antiserum against the N-terminal peptide of GLB1L4 has been produced. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assay reveal that GLB1L4 is specifically expressed in the principal cells of the caput epididymis. Interestingly, its expression peaks at Postnatal Day 45 in mRNA level and at Postnatal Day 60 in protein level while the epididymis column cells undergo differentiation. Moreover, within this very period this secretory protein is confined inside the cell with a change of subcellular distribution pattern, which implies its important roles in the cell differentiation process. Only after the epididymal epithelium differentiation is completed and the spermatozoa enter the epididymal lumen is the GLB1L4 secreted into the luminal fluid and bound on the sperm head. Our results suggest that GLB1L4 may play various roles in principal cell differentiation and sperm maturation.

We describe a novel epididymis-specific cDNA named Glb1l4, which was isolated from rat epididymis by differential display of mRNAs. Glb1l4 cDNA contains 2607 nucleotides and encodes a 637-amino acid protein with 50% similarity to mouse beta-galactosidase. The gene is located on chromosome 8q13, spanning 21 exons. Northern blot analysis reveals that Glb1l4 is specifically expressed in the caput region of epididymis and upregulated by androgen. A specific polyclonal antiserum against the N-terminal peptide of GLB1L4 has been produced. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assay reveal that GLB1L4 is specifically expressed in the principal cells of the caput epididymis. Interestingly, its expression peaks at Postnatal Day 45 in mRNA level and at Postnatal Day 60 in protein level while the epididymis column cells undergo differentiation. Moreover, within this very period this secretory protein is confined inside the cell with a change of subcellular distribution pattern, which implies its important roles in the cell differentiation process. Only after the epididymal epithelium differentiation is completed and the spermatozoa enter the epididymal lumen is the GLB1L4 secreted into the luminal fluid and bound on the sperm head. Our results suggest that GLB1L4 may play various roles in principal cell differentiation and sperm maturation.

Mammalian sperm capacitation is an essential prerequisite to fertilizion. Although progress had been made in understanding the physiology and biochemistry of capacitation, little is known about the potential roles of epididymal proteins during this process. Here we report that HongrES1, a new member of the SERPIN (serine proteinase inhibitor) family exclusively expressed in the rat cauda epididymis and up-regulated by androgen, is secreted into the lumen and covers the sperm head. Co-culture of caudal sperms with HongrES1 antibody in vitro resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa. Furthermore, the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa clearly increased in rats when HongrES1 was down-regulated by RNAi in vivo. Remarkably, knockdown of HongrES1 in vivo led to reduced fertility accompanied with deformed appearance of fetuses and pups. These results identify HongrES1 as a novel and critical molecule in the regulation of sperm capacitation and male fertility.

The objective of this study is to probe the significance of stage one operation on hypospadias in neonatae.

Members of the RNase superfamily participate in a diverse array of biological processes, including RNA degradation, antipathogen activities, angiogenesis, and digestion. In the present study, we cloned the rat RNase9 gene by in silico methods and genome walking based on homology to the Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey) epididymal RNase9. The gene is located on chromosome 15p14, spanning two exons, and is clustered with other members of the RNase A superfamily. It contains 1279 bp and encodes 182 amino acids, including a 24-amino acid signal peptide, and it has unique features known from other RNases. Unlike those other members, the rat RNase9 mRNA was specifically expressed in the epididymis, especially in the caput and corpus, and exhibited an androgen-dependent expression pattern but was downregulated in an epididymitis animal model. The RNASE9 was expressed in a principal cell-specific pattern. Interestingly, most of the principal cells in the caput expressed the RNASE9; however, in the distal caput, the principal cells showed a checkerboard-like pattern of immunoreactivity. We also observed that the RNASE9 was bound on the acrosomal domain of sperm. Its potential roles in sperm maturation are discussed.