Androgens and Estrogens Markedly Inhibit Expression of a 20-kDa Major Protein in Hamster Exorbital Lacrimal Gland

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 208; no. 1; pp. 412 - 417
• Main Authors: Ranganathan, V., De, P.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 08.03.1995
• Subjects: Animals; Cricetinae; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Estradiol - pharmacology; Female; Lacrimal Apparatus - drug effects; Lacrimal Apparatus - metabolism; Male; Mesocricetus; Orchiectomy; Organ Specificity; Ovariectomy; Protein Biosynthesis; Proteins - isolation & purification; Reference Values; Sex Characteristics; Tears - chemistry; Testosterone - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1995.1353

We report here for the first time a 20-kDa hamster lacrimal gland major protein whose expression is markedly inhibited by physiological levels of both androgens and estrogens. This novel protein was present in adult females but not in males. In females, its level was several fold elevated on ovariectomy to apparently 20% of total soluble proteins. Castration in males induced this 20-kDa protein from undetectable to ovariectomized female levels. Administration of only androgens or estrogens to gonadectomized hamsters of both sexes obliterated this major lacrimal protein and estrogens were more potent than androgens. The 20-kDa lacrimal protein was secreted only in female tears. This lacrimal 20-kDa protein of yet unknown function is a useful marker to study the hormonal regulation of the lacrimal gland and it provides a model system to study how both androgens and estrogens mediate inhibition of a specific protein′s expression.