Induction of particle-bound renin and arginine esterase by testosterone in the mouse

Abstract

We studied the induction of renin and a protease (arginine esterase) in the washed 105.000 g sediment of the homogenized submaxillary gland of 758 young female mice. Administration of testosterone propionate, α-methyltestosterone or an anabolic steroid such as nandrolone phenpropionate increased the particle-bound renin and arginine esterase activity in the animals sacrificed 7 days after the first injection. The enzyme activity rose significantly within 4 days. Actinomycin D blocked the induction of renin and arginine esterase. In addition, testosterone increased the weight of the animals, of the submaxillary glands and of the kidneys, the microsomal protein concentration of the submaxillary glands and the RNA content of the microsomal fraction of the glands and kidneys. Actinomycin D blocked these effects of testosterone as well. The particle-bound kallikrein activity of the submaxillary and the particle-bound renin activity of the kidney were not changed by testosterone administration. The 105,000 g sediment of kidney homogenate has arginine esterase activity which increased an average of 63 per cent after the injection of testosterone.