Androgen regulation of specific mRNAs, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-system.

The seminal vesicles of male rat secrete tissue-specific proteins under androgenic control. The effects of testosterone on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi-system of this tissue have been quantified using specific antibodies. Castration was followed within 2 weeks by a 10-fold reduction in RER-specific membrane protein. This was reversed by testosterone commencing about 4 h after exposure to the hormone. Five individual major RER antigens were separately quantified; these changed coordinately in response to androgen. No hormone-induced changes were seen in Golgi-specific membrane protein. Hormonal effects on mRNAs for two major secretory proteins were also measured using hybridisation to specific cDNA probes. The cellular concentrations of the two mRNAs changed by at least 1000-fold during hormonal treatment. A detailed examination of the time-course of induction by testosterone failed to show any temporal distinction between effects on mRNA and RER.