The effects of actinomycin D and puromycin on the induction of the cytosol enzymes involved in the androgen metabolism by testosterone in female rat liver.

Induction of the cytosol enzymes involved in the androgen metabolism in the female rat liver by testosterone was studied. The treatment by testosterone propionate increased the production of 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol in the 105.000xg supernatant when 4-14C-testosterone was used as a substrate. The conversion of 4-14C-androstenedione to labelled testosterone was increased by the injection of testosterone propionate into female rats. Actinomycin D or puromycin which was administered for four days with daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate prevented the increase of these enzymes by testosterone propionate. Actinomycin D given once with the final injection of testosterone propionate blocked the induction of cytosol 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by the treatment of testosterone propionate, whereas puromycin given in the same manner as actinomycin D had no such a blocking effect on the enzyme. Both of these antibiotics given once with the final injection of testosterone propionate showed no preventing effects on the induction of cytosol delta4-5beta-reductase by testosterone propionate.