Androgenic induction of cystatin-related protein and the C3 component of prostatic binding protein in primary cultures from the rat lacrimal gland.
Cystatin-related protein (CRP) and the C3 component of prostatic binding protein (C3) are synthesized in vivo under androgen control in the lacrimal gland and ventral prostate of adult male rats [1,2]. Androgen administration to female or 7-day castrated male rats, which do not express CRP, can induce its synthesis [3]. In this study, we show androgen-dependent expression of CRP1 and C3 in primary cultures of acinar cells of the lacrimal gland of female rats. Addition of androgens to the culture medium results in the synthesis and secretion of both proteins in a time- and dose-dependent way. Estradiol or progesterone are unable to induce their expression. Dexamethasone in low concentrations and present as a basal component of the serum free defined medium, is needed to sensitize the culture system for androgens. In high concentrations, this synthetic glucocorticoid seems to play a similar role as androgens in CRP1 and C3 regulation.
Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Belgium.
H
H
Vanaken
F
F
Claessens
I
I
Vercaeren
W
W
Heyns
B
B
Peeters
W
W
Rombauts
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015891:Cystatins; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D060789:Prostatein; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D060765:Secretoglobins; D014598:Uteroglobin; D060788:Mammaglobin B
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D000728:Androgens; D015891:Cystatins; D060789:Prostatein; D011506:Proteins; D060765:Secretoglobins; D014598:Uteroglobin; C079958:Andpro protein, rat; C484121:P22k15 protein, rat; C511484:Scgb1d2 protein, rat; C511483:Scgb1d4 protein, rat; C556468:Scgb2a1 protein, rat; D060788:Mammaglobin B