Differential Effect of Hypophysectomy on the Synthesis of β3-Glucuronidase and Other Androgen-Inducible Enzymes in Mouse Kidney

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Abstract
The levels of several androgen responsive enzymes including .beta.-glucuronidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, D-amino acid oxidase and arginase, were compared in kidneys of normal and hypophysectomized female mice after treatment with testosterone. While hypophysectomy did not alter the basal level of glucuronidase, the androgen-mediated accumulation of kidney .beta.-glucuronidase was greatly decreased in hypophysectomized mice. Measurements of the rate of synthesis of glucuronidase showed that after androgen treatment the enzyme was synthesized in kidney of hypophysectomized mice at only 5% the normal rate. Glucuronidase activity in 7 other organs was not appreciably affected by treatment with androgens or by hypophysectomy. Unlike the effect of hypophysectomy on kidney glucuronidase, there was no reduction in the accumulation of alcohol dehydrogenase or D-amino oxidase in kidney arginase activity. Subsequent administration of testosterone restored much of this activity. There are at least 2 mechanisms by which androgens increase enzyme activity in kidney. The normal increase in activity or rate of synthesis of .beta.-glucuronidase following androgen administration requires pituitary hormones and/or products of these hormones, while the increase in activity of enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase and D-amino acid oxidase does not require pituitary hormones.
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