Ethionine-induced changes in the activities of [formula omitted]-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes from rat liver

Abstract

Isozyme patterns of S -adenosylmethionine synthetase have been measured with and without dimethylsulfoxide in rat liver incuced by ethionine. The activity of the α-form is increased following administration of ethionine plus adenine for 2 consecutive days, and gradually decreased to control level on the 7th day after treatment, whereas the activity of β-form is relatively unaffected. Methyl-deficient transfer RNA and enhanced levels of transfer RNA-methylating enzymes were found in the livers of female rats after the treatment for 2 days, following which they gradually returned to control level.