Incorporation of l-[C]leucine into egg proteins by liver slices from cod

1. Liver slices from cod (Gadus morhua L.) were incubated with l-[(14)C]leucine and the incorporation of label into total protein, precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and into egg proteins, precipitated with an antibody after addition of carrier egg proteins, was measured. 2. Liver slices from immature male or female cod, and from male fish with developing testes, did not incorporate significant amounts of l-[(14)C]leucine into egg proteins, whereas with slices from female cod with developing ovaries the rate of incorporation into egg proteins was 8% of the rate of incorporation into total protein. 3. Liver slices from immature male or female fish that had received an intramuscular injection of oestradiol benzoate (1mg/kg) 5-8 days previously incorporated l-[(14)C]leucine into egg proteins at about 26% of the rate of incorporation into total protein. 4. Incorporation into total protein and into egg proteins was inhibited by puromycin, and 1.2 and 0.13mug of puromycin/mg of tissue protein, respectively, gave 50% inhibition.