title: Pheromaxein, the pheromonal steroid-binding protein, is a major protein synthesized in porcine submaxillary salivary glands.
abstract: Submaxillary salivary gland tissue from large White, Göttingen miniature and Meishan (Chinese) breeds of pig, and European wild boars, was incubated with [35S]methionine. The radiolabelled amino acid was incorporated into protein in all incubations as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Specifically [35S]methionine was predominantly incorporated into the alpha- and beta-charge isomers of pheromaxein, a 16-androstene steroid-binding protein, as shown by SDS-PAGE in combination with vertical isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide slab gels. The synthesis of pheromaxein occurred in submaxillary gland tissue from both sexes, including tissues stored frozen at -70 degrees C for long periods. There was little evidence for pheromaxein synthesis in parotid gland tissue or skeletal muscle. Total protein, pheromaxein and total 16-androstenes were determined in the submaxillary gland cytosols of six mature Göttingen miniature boars and a positive correlation was found between these glandular constituents. The amounts of endogenous pheromaxein relative to total protein in the submaxillary gland cytosols (range 10.3-18.0%), together with the predominant synthesis of this protein in vitro, indicate that pheromaxein is a major protein produced in porcine submaxillary glands, particularly in those of the male.
authors.affiliation: AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Cambridge Research Station, Babraham Hall.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: von Glos
mesh_terms: D000736:Androstenes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010675:Pheromones; D011506:Proteins; C054734:pheromaxein