Decrease in functional albumin mRNA during estrogen-induced vitellogenin biosynthesis in avian liver.

Translation of rooster liver RNA in a wheat germ extract is shown to yield albumin as one of the cell-free products. Quantitation of albumin mRNA by the translation assay indicates that functional albumin mRNA represents 10% of total liver mRNA activity in control roosters. After estrogen administration, this level decreases in a continuous fashion until functional albumin mRNA represents 5% of total mRNA activity at 12 days. This decrease in functional albumin mRNA was correlated with several parameters of vitellogenin induction. Functional vitellogenin mRNA increases to a maximum at 4 days after hormone treatment and returns to control levels by 12 days. A similar pattern is seen for the hormone-stimulated increase in total mRNA activity. The decrease in functional albumin mRNA, therefore, persists after the vitellogenic response of the liver has been completed. These results suggest that the decrease in hepatic albumin synthesis after hormone treatment is due to an estrogen-mediated decrease in the content of albumin mRNA.