Changes in the polypeptide composition of mouse parotid glands after stimulation of secretion and DNA synthesis by isoproterenol.

The polypeptide composition of mouse parotid glands has been analysed by unidimensional SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and Coomassie blue staining after isoproterenol stimulation of secretion and DNA synthesis. Two polypeptides (polypeptides A and B) are lost within 2 h and their restoration in the glands occurs according to a chronology which is identical to that of the alpha-amylase activity. On the other hand, five clearly defined new bands appear consistently during the late prereplicative period of isoproterenol-stimulated mouse parotid acinar cells (polypeptides C, D, E, F and G). These new polypeptides are induced by doses of isoproterenol which provoke secretion and DNA synthesis, but not by doses which provoke only secretion. Although no function has been assigned to any of the above-described polypeptides, a relation between polypeptides A and B and secretion and between polypeptides C, D, E, F and G and the proliferative response is suggested.