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Horm Metab Res 1993; 25(5): 268-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1002094
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© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Testosterone Regulates Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity of Prostate Mitochondria

L. C. Costello, Renty B. Franklin
  • Department of Physiology, Dental School, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
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Publication History

1992

1992

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

A major and unique function of the prostate is the production of extremely high levels of citrate. Testosterone is an important regulator of this function. This regulation is achieved by hormonal stimulation of citrate synthesis by prostate secretory epithelial cells. Previous studies have established that testosterone stimulates the mitochondrial transamination of aspartate to OAA for citrate synthesis. However, increased citrate synthesis would also require an increased availability of AcCoA which is derived from pyruvate. The present studies were concerned with the in vivo effect of testosterone on pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity of prostate mitochondria isolated from rat ventral prostate (VP). The results demonstrated that testosterone administration to castrated rats stimulates PDH activity and citrate production from pyruvate in the presence of OAA. Therefore testosterone increases both OAA and acetyl CoA production which results in increased citrate synthesis. The mechanism of testosterone regulation of PDH can now be investigated.

Key words

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase - Prostate - Citrate - Pyruvate Oxidation - Testosterone

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