Rapid androgenic stimulation of alpha 2u-globulin synthesis in the perfused rat liver

Hepatic synthesis of alpha 2u-globulin and its mRNA in the male rat is dependent on androgen, glucocorticoid, T4, insulin, and GH. Some of these hormones may act directly on the liver, while others may influence alpha 2u-globulin synthesis through indirect physiological changes. In the present study the specific role of androgen in the synthesis of alpha 2u-globulin was examined in an in vitro liver perfusion system. The addition of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone to the medium perfused through livers from castrated rats resulted in a rapid increase (approximately 10-fold over the vehicle control within 120 min) in the circulating level of alpha 2u globulin. Labeling with [35S]-methionine showed that the androgen-mediated increase in the circulating level of alpha 2u-globulin is due to release of the newly synthesized protein. Quantification of alpha 2u-globulin mRNA in the perfused livers with and without androgen supplementation indicated that the increased mRNA level can only partially account for the elevation of the circulating level of this protein. From these results it is concluded that androgen can act directly on the liver to stimulate alpha 2u-globulin synthesis, and the hormone may influence more than one regulatory step.