Pepsinogen synthesis and secretion by isolated gastric glands

De novo synthesis of pepsinogens was demonstrated in gastric glands isolated from rabbit and human gastric mucosa. The isolated glands were incubated in an amino acid free, Minimum Eagles Medium supplemented with a 14C labelled amino acid mixture. The glands were centrifuged at different time intervals and aliquots of gland homogenates and medium were run on polyacrylamide slab gels. Newly synthesized pepsinogens were demonstrated by autoradiography. Incorporation of 14C was detected after 30 minutes of culture and increased almost linearily with time over 4 h. By comparing the electrophoretic patterns after autoradiography, protein and pepsinogen activity staining, it was concluded that the glands synthesize mainly pepsinogens. Cimetidine, at a concentration of 10(-4)M strongly inhibited pepsinogen synthesis. Spontaneous secretion of pepsinogens into the medium was very low and relatively constant. Cyclic dibutyryl AMP markedly stimulated the secretion of pepsinogens into the medium. The results show, that isolated gastric glands are capable of synthesis and secretion of pepsinogens and that each function can be stimulated and inhibited selectively.