Asynchronism between amylase secretion and packaging in the zymogen granules of pig pancreas.

By pulse and chase experiments with [3H]leucine we have followed the time-course packaging of newly synthesized amylase in the zymogen granules of pig pancreas in vivo. In parallel, with a second group of pigs, we have followed the time-course release of newly synthesized amylase. The ratios of specific radioactivities of amylase in the zymogen granule over that of the homogenate indicated that substantial amounts of newly synthesized amylase had already reached the zymogen granule compartment at 50-min postpulse. Specific radioactivity increased up to 180 min, then a plateau was obtained. In the juice with the other group of pigs, starting at 40 min postpulse, amylase specific radioactivity increased up to about 100 min, then slowly decreased in the next hours. These results show an asynchronism between packaging of newly synthesized amylase in the zymogen granule compartment and its release in the juice under resting conditions, supporting the concept of a partial bypass of the zymogen granule compartment.