Prostaglandin-induced storage and secretion of esteroproteases in the mouse submaxillary gland

The submaxillary glands of adult C3H mice which received intraperitoneal injections of prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2 (PGF2 alpha and PGE2) were examined biochemically and ultrastructurally. Results indicated that the specific activity of esteroprotease in an homogenate of submaxillary glands was significantly increased when mice were treated with PGF2 alpha (96 or 480 micrograms/kg), and decreased when they were treated with PGE2 (96 or 480 micrograms/kg). Ultrastructural findings were correlated with these biochemical data. Thus, it appeared that PGF2 alpha stimulated the secretion and synthesis of bioactive proteins, and that PGE2 stimulated only the secretion.