Renal and hepatic lysosomal catabolism of luteinizing hormone.

Following an intravenous injection of tritiated ovine lutenizing hormone (LH) into mature male rats, the liver and kidneys accumulate a significant portion of the non-excreted hormone. The subcellular distribution of total radioactivity in both tissues was found to be similar to that of beta-galactosidase, a lysosomal enzyme marker. Moreover, the subcellular fraction with the highest relative specific activity of beta-galactosidase exhibited the highest degradation rate of endogenous hormone under in vitro conditions. Based on these and other observations, it is concluded that the intracellular catabolism of LH by these tissues is due to lysosomal enzymes. An analysis of the radioactive degradation products produced by a lysosomal-rich subcellular fraction showed the presence of free amino acids and oligopeptides. Thus, the uptake and degradation of the hormone by these tissues appear to occur by endocytosis followed by lysosomal catabolism. This phenomenon may represent a regulatory role in the control of (circulating) hormone concenttrations.