Aspartate aminotransferase in rat tissues: Changes with growth and hormones

Annemarie Herzfeld, Olga Greengard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Levels of the two isozymal forms of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) were determined in normal and neoplastic rat tissues. Of the adult tissues with high total aspartate aminostransferase activity heart and muscle contain twice as much soluble than particulate isozyme while in liver and kidney (and tumors whose total activity is low) the particulate isozyme predominates. Mammary gland begins to exhibit aspartate aminotransferase activity after parturition and the soluble isozyme continues to rise throughout lactation. Fetal tissues have generally low aspartate aminotransferase activity; the different rates of its accumulation during gestation and postnatal life determined in liver, kidney and heart. The administration of thyroxine 2 days before birth, or that hydrocortisone 2 days before birth, promotes the accumulation of liver aspartate aminotransferase. Estradiol inhibits the developmental formation of the enzyme in liver and prevents the hydrocortisone induction of soluble aspartate aminostransferase in liver of adult males. The results indicate that the amounts of the two forms of aspartate aminotransferase are subject to different physiological control in different tissues. The response of the liver isozymes to hormones depends on the stage of development and after maturity of the sex of the animal.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)88-98
Number of pages11
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects
Volume237
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Apr 1971
Externally publishedYes

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