Effects of aminooxyacetate, alanine and other amino acids on protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 520; no. 3; p. 630
• Main Authors: Seglen, P O, Solheim, A E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 24.10.1978
• Subjects: Amino Acids - pharmacology; Aminooxyacetic Acid - pharmacology; Ammonia - pharmacology; Animals; Kinetics; Liver - metabolism; Male; Protein Biosynthesis; Rats; Valine - metabolism
• ISSN: 0006-3002
• DOI: 10.1016/0005-2787(78)90148-X

Protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes has been measured by the incorporation of [14C]valine at high concentration and constant specific activity (5 mmol/l and 315 muCi/l). Protein synthesis was stimulated by the addition of an amino acid mixture, and by a number of individual amino acids alone, most notably alanine. Energy substrates (lactate, pyruvate) stimulated protein synthesis to the same extent as alanine, suggesting that a major part of the amino acid effect could be due to the provision of energy. Aminooxyacetate, an inhibitor of glutamate transaminases, inhibited protein synthesis strongly (70%), and abolished the stimulatory effects of alanine and energy substrates. This could indicate that hepatocytic protein synthesis is subject to positive control by a transamination-dependent agent.