Leydig cells are testosterone synthesis cells in testes, a process tightly regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) through the activation of steroidogenic enzymes such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3-beta-hydroxy-Delta5-steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD). While calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CAMK2) is known to modulate diverse cellular processes, including hormone signaling, its role in testosterone production remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and functions of CAMK2 in mouse testes, focusing on its potential involvement in testosterone synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that CAMK2 expression progressively increases from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to adulthood. Pharmacological inhibition of CAMK2 with KN-62 markedly reduced serum testosterone levels and downregulated the expression of key steroidogenic enzymes, including StAR and 3β-HSD, at both mRNA and protein levels. In vitro experiments using primary Leydig cells further confirmed that CAMK2 inhibition suppressed testosterone production and steroidogenic enzyme expression, particularly after prolonged (12-24 h) KN-62 treatment. Additionally, CAMK2 expression was upregulated in response to LH stimulation, suggesting its involvement in LH-mediated signaling pathways, potentially through modulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade. These findings demonstrate that CAMK2 positively regulates testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells, likely via the EGFR/ERK1/2 cascade. The results of this study enhance our understanding of the regulation of testosterone synthesis and identifies CAMK2 as a potential therapeutic target for male reproductive endocrine disorders.
Zhang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.