Effect of Testosterone Propionate on Protein Synthesis by Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis in Rat Ventral Prostate

Abstract

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to map the pattern of protein synthesis in rat ventral prostate from both castrate and testosterone treated animals. Proteins were detected by fluorography of ³⁵S-methionine incorporation. In the soluble or cytosol fraction, four major proteins that have molecular weights less than 25,000 and isoelectric points (pi) less than 6.0 and one that has a molecular weight above 30,000 and pi 6.6 are under androgen control. One of these proteins with molecular weight 12,000 and pi 5.4 also appears in the microsomal fraction. Using nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis, soluble proteins of pi greater than 7.0 were investigated. One major protein of 20-25,000 daltons and pi 8.0 appears to be androgen dependent. The ventral prostate from castrate synthesizes proteins which are not detectable in androgen stimulated castrates.

Key Words:

• Testosterone
• Two-dimensional electrophoresis
• Ventral prostate
• 35S-methionine
• Fluorography
• Proteins