Two-dimensional gel analysis of Sertoli cell protein phosphorylation: effect of short term exposure to follicle-stimulating hormone.

The response of cultured Sertoli cells to short term FSH stimulation was studied to elucidate early events involved in the hormone response of this cell type. The phosphorylation of proteins by [32P]orthophosphate-labeled cells was examined using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. FSH stimulation resulted in a variety of changes in the phosphoprotein labeling pattern. Within 5 min, unique phosphoproteins appeared in autoradiograms of treated cells. Increased labeling of vimentin was also noted. After 25 min of FSH stimulation, increases and decreases in apparent labeling intensity were evident in additional phosphoproteins that were constitutively labeled in control cultures. Changes in protein patterns in stained gels were also noted after acute hormone treatment. These observations demonstrate that Sertoli cells respond to hormonal stimulation in a detectable manner within 5 min. Cytoskeletal involvement in initial phases of hormone response is indicated. Mechanisms such as increased protein kinase activity, changes in protein kinase substrate affinity, increased protein turnover, or phosphatase activation may all contribute to the early events involved in Sertoli cell hormone response.