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. 1993 May;12(5):1871–1878. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1993.tb05835.x

Protease-nexin I as an androgen-dependent secretory product of the murine seminal vesicle.

J D Vassalli 1, J Huarte 1, D Bosco 1, A P Sappino 1, N Sappino 1, A Velardi 1, A Wohlwend 1, H Ernø 1, D Monard 1, D Belin 1
PMCID: PMC413407  PMID: 8491179

Abstract

A search for inhibitors of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in the male and female murine genital tracts revealed high levels of a uPA ligand in the seminal vesicle. This ligand is functionally, biochemically and immunologically indistinguishable from protease-nexin I (PN-I), a serpin ligand of thrombin and uPA previously detected only in mesenchymal cells and astrocytes. A survey of murine tissues indicates that PN-I mRNA is most abundant in seminal vesicles, where it represents 0.2-0.4% of the mRNAs. PN-I is synthesized in the epithelium of the seminal vesicle, as determined by in situ hybridization, and is secreted in the lumen of the gland. PN-I levels are much lower in immature animals, and strongly decreased upon castration. Testosterone treatment of castrated males rapidly restores PN-I mRNA levels, indicating that PN-I gene expression is under androgen control.

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