MODULATION OF CYTOSOLIC RNASE ACTIVITY BY ENDOGENOUS RNASE INHIBITOR IN RAT VAGINAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS ON ESTRADIOL ADMINISTRATION

The cytosolic, alkaline RNase in rat vaginal epithelial cells (VEC) fr om normal, immature rats was found to be present largely ip the free, active form unlike in many other mammalian tissues where it is known t o be present in a latent form as a complex with RNase inhibitor (RNasi n). Estradiol (E(2)) administration induced expression of RNasin activ ity in the VEC from such animals and caused virtually total inhibition of cytosolic RNase activity in these cells by 12 h after the hormone injection. These changes may have metabolic implications in relation t o other biochemical events stimulated by estradiol in rat VEC.