Androgen Regulation Of Major Messenger-Rnas For Proteins Of The Immature And Adult-Mouse Vas-Deferens

When total RNA and poly (A)+ RNA extracted from the adult mouse vas deferens were translated in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate protein synthesizing system, they showed a similar electrophoretic pattern of about 20 protein bands of widely varying molecular weights. Within the total mRNA population, three functional mRNAs coding for proteins with molecular weights of 24, 34.5 and 36 kDa showed marked changes after 1 month of castration. The time-course of the response of the translatable proteins showed that while 3 days after castration the 24 and 36 kDa bands were missing, the mRNA coding for the 34.5 kDa band was markedly reduced only 20 days after castration. The negative effect of castration on the three mRNAs could be completely reversed by treatment with testosterone. When total RNA extracted from the immature mouse vas deferens was translated, the 24, 34.5 and 36 kDa protein bands were detectable in 10-day-old males and were synthesized in significant amounts between 10 and 20 days (24 and 36 kDa bands) or between 20 and 30 days (34.5 kDa band). Based on its electrophoretic and immunological properties, the 34.5 kDa protein band, which is predominant in the translation products, was identified as the major androgen-dependent protein previously described in vivo.