scholarly journals Hormonal regulation of protein synthesis in the rat epididymis. Characterization of androgen-dependent and testicular fluid-dependent proteins

1980 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Jones ◽  
C R Brown ◽  
K I Von Glós ◽  
M G Parker

1. Protein synthesis has been investigated in different regions of the rat epididymis by measuring incorporation of [35S]methionine in tissue minces incubated in vitro followed by analysis of labelled proteins on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. Rates of synthesis were highest in the proximal cauda > distal cauda > initial segment > ductuli efferentes > corpus > distal caput > proximal caput. One protein (mol.wt. 23 000) characterized the initial segment, three proteins (mol.wts. 18 500, 19 000 and 32 000) the caput and one protein (mol.wt. 47 000) the cauda. 2. After castration, [35S]methionine incorporation in all regions of the epididymis was reduced to < 10% of that in normal animals but could be restored to control levels within 5 days by testosterone treatment. Other steroids (corticosterone, oestrogen or progesterone) were ineffective. 3. The synthesis of the 18 500, 19 000, and 32 000 mol.wt. proteins in the caput and the 47 000 mol.wt. protein in the cauda were preferentially regulated by androgens, whilst the synthesis of 23 000 and approx. 80 000 mol.wt. proteins in the initial segment was dependent upon factors present in testicular fluid. 4. The androgen-dependent and testicular fluid-dependent proteins were major components of epididymal secretion. Purification and characterization of the 18 500, 19 000, 23 000 and 32 000 mol.wt. proteins showed them to be acidic glycoproteins with a carbohydrate content of 7.6-13.2%. The 47 000 mol.wt. protein, on the other hand, is highly basic. 5. A possible role for these proteins in the acquisition of motility, fertilizing capacity and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis is discussed.

1981 ◽  
Vol 196 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Jones ◽  
K I von Glos ◽  
C R Brown

1. The incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein was investigated in tissue minces from different regions of the rabbit epididymis incubated in vitro. Rates of synthesis were in the order: epididymal regions 2-5 greater than region 7 greater than region 6 greater than region 1 greater than region 8 greater than ductus deferens greater than ductuli efferentes. 2. Separation of labelled proteins on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate followed by fluorography revealed that one protein (mol.wt. approx. 90 000) was characteristic of region 1, four proteins (one of mol.wt. 54 000 and three of mol.wt. 20 000) were synthesized principally in regions 2-5, and one protein (mol.wt. 22 500) was produced mainly in regions 6, 7 and 8. 3. Castration for 14 days decreased incorporation of [35S]methionine into total protein to less than 10% of that in controls in all regions of the epididymis. However, testosterone treatment for a further period of 14 days restored protein synthesis to normal values in regions 6, 7 and 8, but not in region 1 or regions 2-5. In regions 2-5 the synthesis of three proteins of mol.wt. 20 000 declined after castration, but was not stimulated by exogenous testosterone. Since the 20 000-mol.wt. proteins were major tissue proteins, accounting for 16-25% of the total synthesized, they were used as markers for investigating hormone action in the epididymis. 4. Castration followed immediately by testosterone treatment or ligation of the ductuli efferentes resulted in a decrease in their synthesis, suggesting that they are partially dependent on factors in testicular fluid. Purification and characterization showed them to be acidic glycoproteins with a number of biochemical and immunological properties in common. 5. It is suggested that there is a synergistic action between blood androgens and factors in testicular fluid in regulating protein synthesis in the proximal regions of the rabbit epididymis.


2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 651-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Morales de la Vega ◽  
J Eleazar Barboza-Corona ◽  
Maria G Aguilar-Uscanga ◽  
Mario Ramírez-Lepe

A chitinolytic enzyme from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai has been purified and its molecular mass was estimated ca. 66 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacryamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The enzyme was able to hydrolyze chitin to chitobiosides but not carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose, pullulan, and laminarin. Optimal pH and temperature were detected at 6 and 50 °C, respectively. Stability, in the absence of substrate, was observed at temperatures less than 60 °C and pH between 5 and 8. Enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by K+ and EDTA and completely inhibited by Hg2+. Purified chitinase showed lytic activity against cell walls from six phytopathogenic fungi and inhibited the mycelial growth of both Fusarium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii. The biocontrol efficacy of the enzyme was tested in the protection of bean seeds infested with six phytopathogenic fungi.Key words: chitinase, Bacillus thuringiensis, purification, phytopathogenic fungi.


1975 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
S G Siddell ◽  
R J Ellis

The function of plastid ribosomes in pea (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated by characterizing the products of protein synthesis in vitro in plastids isolated at different stages during the transition from etioplast to chloroplast. Etioplasts and plastids isolated after 24, 48 and 96h of greening in continuous white light, use added ATP to incorporate labelled amino acids into protein. Plastids isolated from greening leaves can also use light as the source of energy for protein synthesis. The labelled polypeptides synthesized in isolated plastids were analysed by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate-ureapolyacrylamide gels. Six polypeptides are synthesized in etioplasts with ATP as energy source. Only one of these polypeptides is present in a 150 000g supernatant fraction. This polypeptide has been identified as the large subunit of Fraction I protein (3-phospho-D-glycerate carboxylyase EC 4.1.1.39) by comparing the tryptic ‘map’ of its L-(35S)methionine-labelled peptides with the tryptic ‘map’ of large subunit peptides from Fraction I labelled with L-(35S)methionine in vivo. The same gel pattern of six polypeptides is seen when plastids isolated from greening leaves are incubated with either added ATP or light as the energy source. However, the rates of synthesis of particular polypeptides are different in plastids isolated at different stages of the etioplast to chloroplast transition. The results support the idea that plastid ribosomes synthesize only a small number of proteins, and that the number and molecular weight of these proteins does not alter during the formation of chloroplasts from etioplasts.


1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jones ◽  
P. R. Riding ◽  
M. G. Parker

The relative importance of testosterone and prolactin in regulating growth and protein synthesis in rat accessory sex glands has been investigated. Protein synthesis was measured by incubating tissue minces in vitro with [35S]methionine and analysing labelled proteins on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. Plasma prolactin was assayed by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that castration for 8 days significantly reduced wet weights and total protein synthesis in the ventral prostate, dorsolateral prostate and caput epididymidis, but that these effects could be reversed by exogenous testosterone. Similarly, the specific incorporation of [35S]methionine into four polypeptides in the ventral prostate, two polypeptides in the dorsolateral prostate and two polypeptides in the caput epididymidis was lowered by castration but markedly stimulated by testosterone. Acute or chronic administration of 2-bromo-α-ergocryptine to animals in combination with testosterone had no significant effect on any of the parameters measured, although the drug reduced circulating prolactin to undetectable levels. In addition, exogenous prolactin given alone, or in combination with testosterone, to hypophysectomized rats had no effect on general or specific protein synthesis. The induction of hyperprolactinaemia in immature or mature rats with pituitary homographs had no effect on testosterone-stimulated growth of any accessory gland, although it caused a significant stimulation of total protein synthesis in the dorsolateral prostate and coagulating glands. However, this was a generalized effect as it did not increase the specific incorporation of [35S]methionine into androgen-dependent proteins. The results do not indicate a major role for prolactin in regulating androgen responsiveness of male accessory sex glands in the rat.


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo T. Cánepa ◽  
Elena B.C. Llambías

Pig liver ferrochelatase was purified 465-fold with about 30% yield, to apparent homogeneity, by a procedure involving solubilization from mitochondria, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The fraction of each purification step had cobaltochelatase as well as ferrochelatase activity. A purified protein of molecular weight 40 000 was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A molecular weight of approximately 240 000 was obtained by Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. Both activities of the purified fraction increased linearly with time until 2 h. but nonlinear plots were obtained with increasing concentrations of protein. Their optimum pH values were similar. Km values were, for ferrochelatase activity, 23.3 μM for the metal and 30.3 μM for mesoporphyrin. and for cobaltochelatase activity. 27 and 45.5 μM, respectively. Fe2+ and Co2+ each protected against inactivation by heat. Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, or Hg2+ inhibited both activities, while Mn2+ slightly activated; Mg2+ had no effect, at the concentrations tested. There appeared to be an involvement of sulfhydryl groups in metal insertion. Lipids, in correlation with their degree of unsaturation, activated both purified activities; phospholipids also had activation effects. We conclude that a single protein catalyzes the insertion of Fe2+ or Co2+ into mesoporphyrin.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Li ◽  
Yuxiang Gu ◽  
Shudong He ◽  
Olayemi Eyituoyo Dudu ◽  
Qiming Li ◽  
...  

It is important to evaluate the nutritional quality of milk during the shelf-life, especially during home storage, from a consumer viewpoint. In this study, we investigated the impact of pasteurization (85 °C/15 s) and subsequent storage (at 4 °C for 7 days) on the coagulation behavior of milk and protein digestibility in a dynamic in vitro gastric digestion test. A high level of hydration in curd formed in pasteurized milk upon 7-day cold storage compared to raw and pasteurized milk, indicating fast pepsin diffusion in the interior of curds, increasing the hydrolysis rate. The digesta collected at various time points throughout the gastric digestion were studied using o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA), sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and amino acid analysis. These results showed that milk proteins were hydrolyzed quickly upon a long period of cold storage. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative results obtained using LC-MS/MS exhibited significant differences between samples, especially in pasteurized milk upon cold storage. Processing and storage played a decisive role in bioactive peptide generation. Such knowledge could provide insights into and directions for the storage of pasteurized milk for further clinical studies on protein bioavailability and the generation of bioactive peptides for desired health outcomes.


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