Role of GPR30 in estrogen-induced prostate epithelial apoptosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Several studies have implicated estrogen and the estrogen receptor (ER) in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); however, the mechanism underlying this effect remains elusive. In the present study, we demonstrated that estrogen (17β-estradiol, or E2)-induced activation of the G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) triggered Ca release from the endoplasmic reticulum, increased the mitochondrial Ca concentration, and thus induced prostate epithelial cell (PEC) apoptosis. Both E2 and the GPR30-specific agonist G1 induced a transient intracellular Ca release in PECs via the phospholipase C (PLC)-inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate (IP) pathway, and this was abolished by treatment with the GPR30 antagonist G15.

Hydrogen Sulfide Facilitates Vaginal Lubrication by Activation of Epithelial ATP-Sensitive K(+) Channels and Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator.

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a large role in female and male sexual responses characterized by a smooth muscle relaxant effect. Moreover, H2S is a novel pro-secretory neuromodulator that modulates epithelial ion transport. However, whether H2S has a role in regulating vaginal epithelial ion transport and fluid secretion has not been extensively studied.

Activation of β-adrenergic receptors during sexual arousal facilitates vaginal lubrication by regulating vaginal epithelial Cl(-) secretion.

Introduction: Vaginal lubrication, an indicator of sexual arousal and tissue health, increases significantly during genital sexual arousal. Adrenergic alpha-receptors (AR) are an important regulator of genital physiological responses involved in mediating vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle contractility; the role of β-AR in sexual arousal, however, has not yet been investigated.

Aim: The goal of this study was to reveal the functional role of β-AR in modulating vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal and the mechanisms underlying the process.

An integrative proteomics and interaction network-based classifier for prostate cancer diagnosis.

Aim: Early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), which is a clinically heterogeneous-multifocal disease, is essential to improve the prognosis of patients. However, published PCa diagnostic markers share little overlap and are poorly validated using independent data. Therefore, we here developed an integrative proteomics and interaction network-based classifier by combining the differential protein expression with topological features of human protein interaction networks to enhance the ability of PCa diagnosis.

Sodium coupled bicarbonate influx regulates intracellular and apical pH in cultured rat caput epididymal epithelium.

Background: The epithelium lining the epididymis provides an optimal acidic fluid microenvironment in the epididymal tract that enable spermatozoa to complete the maturation process. The present study aims to investigate the functional role of Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporter in the pH regulation in rat epididymis.

Method/principal Findings: Immunofluorescence staining of pan cytokeratin in the primary culture of rat caput epididymal epithelium showed that the system was a suitable model for investigating the function of epididymal epithelium.