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.
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase - Prostate - Citrate - Pyruvate Oxidation - Testosterone
