Biosynthesis of glucagon (IRG3500) in canine gastric mucosa

The canine gastric mucosa has previously been shown to contain considerable amounts of a polypeptide with the immunologic and physicochemical characteristics and biologic activity of glucagon (IRG3500). Using mucosal pieces that remained viable for at least 8 h, we have demonstrated that IRG3500 is synthesized in this extrapancreatic tissue. Gel filtration and electrophoresis of extracts of mucosal pieces incubated with 3H-tryptophan, 3H-leucine, or 35S-methionine revealed small amounts of labeled, newly synthesized gastric IRG3500. No labeling of gastric IRG3500 was observed when the mucosa was incubated with 3H-proline, an amino acid not found in glucagon, in the presence of cycloheximide, or in isolated rat hepatocytes. Small amounts of newly synthesized IRG3500 were specifically immunoprecipitated by C-terminally directed glucagon antiserum gamma globulins. The rate of gastric IRG3500 biosynthesis in vitro was apparently unchanged in mucosal pieces from pancreatectomized dogs and unaffected by increased glucose or glucose lack during incubations. Thus we have provided evidence that a hormone of the endocrine pancreas can be synthesized in extrapancreatic tissues.