Effect of cold exposure on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) activity and cyclic AMP concentration in livers of starved rats role of glucocorticoids

Abstract

The effect of cold exposure (5 degrees C) on the concentration of cyclic AMP and on the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP: oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32) was investigated in the liver of intact and adrenalectomized starved rats. Intact starved rats responded to cold exposure with a large increase in both the concentration of hepatic cyclic AMP and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase above the starvation level. Adrenalectomy did not impair the cold-induced maximum elevation of cyclic AMP but totally prevented the response of the enzyme to cold. Yet, this response was completely restored by hydrocortisone treatment, while the steroid per se had no effect on enzyme activity. In isolated perfused livers of intact starved rats dibutyryl cyclic AMP provoked an immediate dramatic increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity above the starvation level even if mRNA synthesis was inhibited by cordycepin. However, cyclic AMP was ineffective in increasing enzyme activity in livers of adrenalectomized rats. From these results it is suggested (i) that in starved rats the adaptation to the enhanced glucose demand provoked by cold exposure includes the induction of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase above the starvation level, (ii) that this induction is due to the cold-induced increase in hepatic cyclic AMP levels, (iii) that cyclic AMP stimulates enzyme synthesis at a post-transcriptional step and (iv) that the cold-induced cyclic AMP-mediated induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase above the starvation level requires the "permissive" effect of glucocorticoids.