Mono- and poly-ADP-ribosylation of proteins in mouse kidney after castration and testosterone treatment.

Protein-bound mono(ADP-ribose) and poly(ADP-ribose) residues were determined in mouse kidney after castration and testosterone substitution. After these treatments, the mouse kidney undergoes significant alterations in the extent and pattern of transcription without changes in the amount of DNA and nuclear protein. The amount of mono(ADP-ribose)--protein conjugates (the hydroxylamine-sensitive and -resistant subfractions) decreased by 40% after castration, and returned to normal within 1 week after daily testosterone injections. Polymeric ADP-ribose residues, which amounted to less than 0.3% of the total protein-bound monomeric ADP-ribose, increased after castration and rapidly decreased on testosterone administration. The magnitude of these effects indicates that the decrease in mono(ADP-ribose) was not caused by a shift of monomeric residues into the polymer form. Nuclear ADP-ribosyltransferase activity showed a retarded decrease after castration, reaching 60% of the control value by day 20. After testosterone injections, enzyme activity rose to normal within 3-4 days. The amounts of the substrate NAD+ as well as of NAD+ + NADH also declined after castration, and rapidly returned to values slightly above normal when the androgen was substituted. The differential response of monomeric and polymeric ADP-ribose residues to castration and testosterone treatment suggests that the two modifications serve different functions.