IDENTIFICATION AND ANDROGEN REGULATION OF A 156-KDA HEMEPROTEIN IN THE HARDERIAN-GLAND OF THE SYRIAN-HAMSTER

An abundant cytosolic protein from hamster Harderian glands was partia lly purified by ultracentrifugation and analyzed on SDS-PAGE. This 156 -kDa protein occurs in male but not in female glands. Castration of ad ult males for different time periods resulted in a gradual disappearan ce of the protein over 5 weeks. Daily administration of testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha- or 3 beta-androstanediol (0.5 mg /day/15 days), to castrated males maintained the levels of the protein . In females, the protein was induced with the same compounds but not with 17 beta-estradiol. These observations indicate an androgen-mediat ed hormonal regulation. In developing animals, the 156-kDa protein was detectable in glands of 2-week-old males and females; it was not dete cted in 4-week-old females. Its specific reactions to 3,3',5,5'-benzid ine derivatives strongly suggest heme groups associated with this Hard erian gland protein. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.