Adenylate Deaminase Research Articles

IMP production by ATP-depleted adult rat heart cells. Effects of glycolysis and alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation.

A rapid deenergization procedure was used to probe the regulation of in situ adenylate deaminase and 5'-nucleotidase in isolated adult rat heart cells. In cells depleted of ATP, the rate of ionosine monophosphate (IMP) production was fourfold greater in cells that had been respiring prior to deenergization than in cells that had been maintaining ATP stores through anaerobic glycolysis. This effect of respiratory inhibition was fully reversed by reaeration. When phenylephrine was present during preincubation, IMP production during a subsequent 5-minute rapid deenergization was increased by 70% in respiring cells and by 88% in those that had not been respiring. These effects of phenylephrine were abolished by prazosin. Adenosine production by cells without ATP was inversely related to that of IMP, whereas it was positively correlated with the amount of AMP remaining in cells after 5 minutes. We conclude from these data that rat heart adenylate deaminase is regulated by a product(s) of anaerobic glycolysis and by alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation. The production of intracellular adenosine in cells without ATP, on the other hand, is governed primarily by the concentration of AMP and appears to be catalyzed by the cytosolic type I 5'-nucleotidase.

An electroanalytical method for estimation of fish freshness using a flow‐injection system with some immobilized enzyme reactors

AbstractA flow‐injection system is proposed for the estimation offish freshness. The 5′‐adenylic acid deaminase reactor, alkaline phosphatase reactor, and nucleoside phosphorylase‐xanthine oxidase coimmobilized reactor were incorporated at fixed positions in a flow system, which was based on the splitting of the flow after sample injection and subsequent confluence before reaching the peroxidase electrode. Because each channel has a different residence time, two peaks were obtained. The first peak corresponded to the total of hypoxanthine and inosine, and the second peak to the total of hypoxanthine, inosine, inosine‐5′‐monophosphate, and adenosine‐5′‐monophosphate. The index of fish freshness, K, is estimated by where s1 and s2 represent the sensitivity (nA mM−1) and i1 and i2 represent the peak current (nA) of the first and second peaks, respectively. The measurements could be performed at a rate of 15 samples per hour with satisfactory precision.

Purine and pyrimidine metabolism in human muscle and cultured muscle cells

Using radiochemical methods, we determined the activities of various enzymes of purine and pyrimidine metabolism in homogenates of human skeletal muscle and of cultured human muscle cells. Results show a large discrepancy between the enzyme activities in muscle and cultured cells. With regard to purine metabolism, adenylate (AMP) deaminase activity was only 1–3% in cultured cells compared to that in muscle, whereas the activity of adenosine deaminase, purine-nucleoside phosphorylase, adenosine kinase, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase was 7–15-fold higher in the cultured cells. The enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism, orotate phosphoribosyltransferase, orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase and uridine kinase showed activity of 100–200-fold higher in cultured cells than in adult muscle. The differences in enzyme activity are probably related to the low differentiation stage and the absence of contractile activity in the cultured muscle cells. Care must be taken when using these cells as a model for studying purine and pyrimidine metabolism of adult myofibers.

Operation of the purine nucleotide cycle in animal tissues.

Summary1. The operation of the purine nucleotide cycle, consisting of the enzymes adenylate deaminase (E.C. 3.5.4.6), adenylosuccinate synthetase (E.C. 6.3.4.4) and adenylosuccinate lyase (E.C. 4.3.2.2), has been reviewed with reference to its metabolic function in animal tissues.2. Abundant evidence, both from in vitro and in vivo studies, suggests that the purine nucleotide cycle serves to stabilize the adenylate ‘energy charge’ (or ‘phosphorylation potential’) in the cytoplasm of vertebrate cells during a temporary imbalance between ATP‐consumption and ATP‐production. This stabilization, however, is absent or much less efficient in tissues of invertebrates.3. The hypothesis that AMP‐deaminase is involved in the regulation of glycolysis is not supported by recent work. In a variety of cell types, including skeletal muscle and blood platelets, blocking of AMP‐deaminase activity (due to a genetic defect or to pharmacological inhibition) is without effect on the glycolytic rate. Detailed kinetic and histochemical analysis of energy metabolism shows lack of correlation between AMP‐deaminase activity and glycolysis in skeletal muscle during exercise.4. The purine nucleotide cycle appears to control the level of citric acid cycle intermediates in skeletal muscle. Pharmacological inhibition of adenylosuccinate lyase or adenylosuccinate synthetase leads to a reduced availability of four‐carbon ‘sparker’ molecules to the Krebs cycle with a concomitant impairment of aerobic energy production during muscular work.5. The cycle appears to be a major pathway for amino acid deamination in skeletal muscle and brain of vertebrates, but not in kidney or liver.

Alterations in nucleotide pools induced by 3-deazaadenosine and related compounds role of adenylate deaminase

3-Deazaadenine, 3-deazaadenosine, and the carbocyclic analog of 3-deazaadenosine produced similar effects on nucleotide pools of L1210 cells in culture; each caused an incease in IMP and a decrease in adenine nucleotides and had no effect on nucleotides of uracil and cytosine. Concentrations of 50–100 μM were required to produce these effects. Although 3-deazaadenosine and carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine are known to be potent inhibitors of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, the effects on nucleotide pools apparently are not mediated via this inhibition because they are also produced by the base, 3-deazaadenine, and because the concentrations required are higher than those required to inhibit the hydrolase. Cells grown in the presence of 3-deazaadenine or 3-deazaadenosine contained phosphates of 3-deazaadenosine (the mono- and triphosphates were isolated); from cells grown in the presence of the carbocyclic analog of 3-deazaadenosine, the monophosphate was isolated, but evidence for the presence of the triphosphate was not obtained. A cell-free supernatant fraction from L1210 cells supplemented with ATP catalyzed the formation of monophosphates from 3-deazaadenosine or carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine, and a cell-free supernatant fraction supplemented with 5-phosphoriboysl 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) catalyzed the formation of 3-deaza-AMP from 3-deazaadenine. Adenosine kinase apparently was not solely responsible for the phosphorylation of the nucleosides because a cell line that lacked this enzyme converted 3-deazaadenosine to phosphates. No evidence was obtained that the effects on nucleotide pools resulted from a block of the IMP-AMP conversion, but the results could be rationalized as a consequence of increased AMP deaminase activity. This explanation is supported by two observations: (a) coformycin, an inhibitor of AMP deaminase, prevented the effects on nucleotide pools, and (b) 3-deazaadenine decreased the conversion of carbocyclic adenosine to carbocyclic ATP and increased its conversion to carbocyclic GTP. The latter conversion requires the action of AMP deaminase and the observed effects can be rationalized by a nucleoside analog-mediated increase in AMP deaminase activity. Because these effects on nucleotide pools are produced only by concentrations higher than those required to inhibit adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, they may not contribute significantly to the biological effects of 3-deazaadenosine or carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine. These results therefore are primarily of interest in that they (a) suggest that AMP-deaminase activity in intact cells may be stimulated by certain purine and nucleoside analogs and (b) also point to the possibility that other analogs might be designed that would be even more effective and specific in modulating the activity of this enzyme.

LC-EC determination of nucleotides and nucleic acids: Application to enzyme assays and the analysis of DNA fragments

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to an electrochemical detector in an oxidative mode was used to analyze purine bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides as well as restriction fragments of nucleic acids. Ligands were separated by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LC-EC) using size exclusion, ion-exchange, or reverse phase techniques. Using an amperometric electrochemical detector the determination was characterized with respect to sensitivity, selectivity, and capacity factor. It was observed from hydrodynamic and cyclic voltammetry that the optimum oxidation potential differed for the three major classes of purines, permitting an enhancement in selectivity when compared to detection. Guanylyl moieties demonstrated a half-wave potential at 0.800 V vs Ag AgCl , while those for the adenylyl and inosylyl groups are above 1.000 V vs Ag AgCl . The facility of the method to analyze components of a complex biological milieu was demonstrated by examining the purine pools of crude and partially purified eye lens homogenates as well as by comparing the traditional hexokinase assay to the newly developed LC-EC technique. Additionally, LC-EC was compared to detection for determination of the purine-metabolizing enzyme activities, adenylate deaminase and adenylosuccinate synthetase from crude cellular lysates of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum. Finally, the technique was used to assay the fragments from λ-DNA cut with the restriction endonuclease Pst-1.

The multicopy appearance of a large inverted duplication and the sequence at the inversion joint suggest a new model for gene amplification.

The amplified DNA of HC50474, a Chinese hamster fibroblast cell line selected in three steps for high resistance to coformycin, consists chiefly of 150 copies of a large inverted duplication including the adenylate deaminase gene. Most if not all of these units are more than 2 x 120 kb long. The inverted duplication was first detected in the cells recovered from the second selection step, at the same chromosomal location as the first step amplified units. Its formation and amplification appear to be coupled since the second step cell line already contained 40 copies of this novel structure. Reamplification of the inverted duplication occurred at the third step of selection concomitant with the loss of amplified DNA acquired during the first step. The head-to-head junction has been formed by recombination within a recombinational hotspot described previously [Hyrien, O., Debatisse, M., Buttin, G. and Robert de Saint Vincent, B. (1987) EMBO J., 6, 2401-2408]. Sequences at the joint and in the corresponding wild-type region reveal that the crossover sites, one of which occurs in the putative promoter region of B2 repeat, are located at the top of significant stem-loop structures and that patchy homologies between the parental molecules on one side of the breakpoints allow alignment of these crossover sites. We present a model which explains the formation and amplification of this and other large inverted duplications by errors in DNA replication.

Preferential amplification of rearranged sequences near amplified adenylate deaminase genes.

In a previous study of three independent families of mutants selected for overproduction of adenylate deaminase (AMPD), we were not able to isolate a cDNA probe for the gene and so could not demonstrate its amplification directly. In addition to overproduction of AMPD, four proteins of unknown function, designated W, X, Y1, and Y2, accumulated, and by using the corresponding cDNA probes, we demonstrated amplification of all four genes. In independent mutant clones, sometimes all and sometimes only a subset of these genes were amplified. Assuming that all five genes are linked, the pattern of their coamplification suggested a genetic map in which AMPD lies between W and Y1. We show here that a two-step chromosome walk joins the W and Y1 genes, that the AMPD gene is the only expressed sequence between them, and that its amplification is indeed responsible for overproduction of the AMPD protein. In the course of this work, we cloned and studied two novel joints which mark rearrangements on either side of the AMPD gene. Each joint was generated independently in a single first-step mutant at single or low copy number. Remarkably, each joint was amplified preferentially in every second- and third-step mutant derived from the first-step line in which it was originally present, suggesting that the two independent rearrangements each generated amplification-prone structures.

Preferential amplification of rearranged sequences near amplified adenylate deaminase genes.

In a previous study of three independent families of mutants selected for overproduction of adenylate deaminase (AMPD), we were not able to isolate a cDNA probe for the gene and so could not demonstrate its amplification directly. In addition to overproduction of AMPD, four proteins of unknown function, designated W, X, Y1, and Y2, accumulated, and by using the corresponding cDNA probes, we demonstrated amplification of all four genes. In independent mutant clones, sometimes all and sometimes only a subset of these genes were amplified. Assuming that all five genes are linked, the pattern of their coamplification suggested a genetic map in which AMPD lies between W and Y1. We show here that a two-step chromosome walk joins the W and Y1 genes, that the AMPD gene is the only expressed sequence between them, and that its amplification is indeed responsible for overproduction of the AMPD protein. In the course of this work, we cloned and studied two novel joints which mark rearrangements on either side of the AMPD gene. Each joint was generated independently in a single first-step mutant at single or low copy number. Remarkably, each joint was amplified preferentially in every second- and third-step mutant derived from the first-step line in which it was originally present, suggesting that the two independent rearrangements each generated amplification-prone structures.

Glutamine and ammonium handling by anaesthetized rats

The infusion of ether anesthaetized rats with 0.2 M (1 mmols in total) ammonium acetate or glutamine were compared with the infusion of 0.2 M NaCl. The levels of circulating glucose, amino acids, lactate, urea and ammonium were measured as well as liver glycogen and tissue amino acids and the liver and muscle activities of carbamoyl phosphate synthetases I and II, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase and adenylate deaminase. Neither treatment altered the glucose and glycogen homeostasis. The infusion of ammonium did not result in increases in circulating ammonium, but resulted in increased circulating urea after a short delay; the infusion of glutamine resulted also in urea production but much later on. Glutamine infusion also resulted in increased tissue free amino-acid levels. There was little alteration in enzyme activities, except for decreased glutamine synthetase and adenylate deaminase activity in muscle of glutamine-infused rats and higher tissue carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II. The results agree with a fast removal of infused ammonium, and maintenance of glutamine, with their channeling towards urea production at a rate comparable with that of infusion, that did not alter significantly the homeostasis of the experimental animals.

On the nature of endogenous purines modulating cholinergic neurotransmission in the guinea-pig ileum.

By means of agonist and enzyme experiments, the relative importance of endogenous adenosine, adenine nucleotides or other purines as modulators of cholinergic neuroeffector transmission in preparations of guinea-pig ileum muscle has been examined. Adenosine, 2-chloroadenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP and AMPPNP reversibly inhibited contractile responses to transmural stimulation of the guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle. 5'-adenylate deaminase dose-dependently antagonized the inhibitory effect of adenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP and AMPPNP, but not that of 2-chloroadenosine. 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline, adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase enhanced contractile responses to transmural nerve stimulation. Adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase were virtually equiactive whereas 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline was much more effective, and the theophylline derivative also enhanced contractile responses in preparations pretreated with adenosine deaminase or 5'-adenylate deaminase. Moreover, 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline abolished the inhibition by dipyridamole, whereas adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase only partly antagonized the inhibitory effect of dipyridamole. Application of 5'-adenylate deaminase did not enhance the nerve-induced contractions in preparations pretreated with adenosine deaminase or a combination of dipyridamole and adenosine deaminase. In conclusion, adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase enhanced the nerve-induced contractions in the ileum, and, since 5'-adenylate deaminase was inactive after pretreatment with adenosine deaminase, this suggests that endogenous adenosine rather than 5'-adenine nucleotides modulated cholinergic neurotransmission in the ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Superiority of HPLC to Assay for Enzymes Regulating Adenine Nucleotide Pool Intermediates Metabolism: 5'-Nucleotidase, Adenylate Deaminase, Adenosine Deaminase, and Adenylosuccinate Lyase-A Simple and Rapid Determination of Adenosine

Abstract A new application of HPLC analysis to assay for all the enzymes involved in regulation of adenine nucleotide pool metabolism is described. In vitro, enzymatic reactions were carried out in buffered reaction media containing appropriate concentrations of metal ions, specific substrate, inhibitors and enzymes. Following an incubation period, the enzymatic reactions were terminated and extracted with cold trichloroacetic acid. The soluble acid extracts were neutralized and injected in a HPLC system. Using a C18-Nova Pak reverse phase column, we were able to separate, identify and quantify the substrate, products and their possible catabolites and UV-detectable inhibitors. A complete separation and quantitation of metabolites was accomplished within 16-18 minutes. However, rapid and simple HPLC runs were also developed which can be routinely used to determine adenosine levels within 3-4 minutes, using a single solvent HPLC system. This procedure is extremely reproducible and very reliable as demonstrated in assaying for 5'-nucleotidase, adenylate deaminase, adenosine deaminase and adenylosuccinate lyase activities.

Effect of cold-temperature exposure and acclimation on amino acid pool changes and enzyme activities of rat brown adipose tissue

The amino acid pool composition and its concentration ratios with respect to blood and plasma, as well as the activities of alanine, aspartate and branched chain amino acid transaminases, glutamina synthetase, adenylate deaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase have been studied in the interscapular brown adipose tissue of control, 12-h cold-exposed and 15-day cold-acclimated rats. Cold temperature affected the amino acid metabolism and pool composition more intensely after 15 days than after 12-h cold-exposure, even though the patterns of change were very similar in both groups. Cold temperatures induced a decrease in glutamine and an increase in glutamate concentration in the tissue. This probably increased the metabolism of branched chain amino acids and caused a decrease in adenylate deaminase activity. It also seemed to increase alanine utilization. We concluded that amino acid metabolism in brown adipose tissue is enhanced by cold temperature acclimation.

A hotspot for novel amplification joints in a mosaic of Alu-like repeats and palindromic A + T-rich DNA.

We have identified, in the amplified domain of adenylate deaminase (AMPD) overproducing Chinese hamster fibroblasts, a 2.6 kb recombinogenic DNA region which is frequently involved in amplification-associated rearrangements. The nucleotide sequence reveals a mosaic organization of four Alu-equivalent repeats of the B1 and B2 families and eight long A + T-rich DNA segments. Part of this region is enriched with long imperfect palindromes. The center of one palindrome contains a putative topoisomerase I cleavage site and this site defines the position of a novel junction which was formed by illegitimate recombination with anther A + T-rich DNA sequence located far apart on the amplified DNA. These findings and their significance are discussed in the context of related data from other systems and in the light of current models for eukaryotic DNA recombination, replication and organization.

Inhibition of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, adenosine deaminase and 5′-adenylate deaminase by polyglutamates of methotrexate and oxidized folates and by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide

With the use of a continuous spectrophotometric assay and initial rates determined by the method of Waley [Biochem. J. (1981) 193, 1009-1012] methotrexate was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor, with Ki(intercept) = 72 microM and Ki(slope) = 41 microM, of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, whereas a polyglutamate of methotrexate containing three gamma-linked glutamate residues was a competitive inhibitor, with Ki = 3.15 microM. Pentaglutamates of folic acid and 10-formylfolic acid were also competitive inhibitors of the transformylase, with Ki values of 0.088 and 1.37 microM respectively. Unexpectedly, the pentaglutamate of 10-formyldihydrofolic acid was a good substrate for the transformylase, with a Km of 0.51 microM and a relative Vmax. of 0.72, which compared favourably with a Km of 0.23 microM and relative Vmax. of 1.0 for the tetrahydro analogue. An analysis of the progress curve of the transformylase-catalysed reaction with the above dihydro coenzyme revealed that the pentaglutamate of dihydrofolic acid was a competitive product inhibitor, with Ki = 0.14 microM. The continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase based on change in the absorbance at 265 nm was shown to be valid with adenosine concentrations above 100 microM, which contradicts a previous report [Murphy, Baker, Behling & Turner (1982) Anal. Biochem. 122, 328-337] that this assay was invalid above this concentration. With the spectrophotometric assay, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside was found to be a competitive inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, with (Ki = 362 microM), whereas the ribotide was a competitive inhibitor of 5'-adenylate deaminase, with Ki = 1.01 mM. Methotrexate treatment of susceptible cells results in (1) its conversion into polyglutamates, (2) the accumulation of oxidized folate polyglutamates, and (3) the accumulation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide. The above metabolic events may be integral elements producing the cytotoxic effect of this drug by (1) producing tighter binding of methotrexate to folate-dependent enzymes, (2) producing inhibitors of folate-dependent enzymes from their tetrahydrofolate coenzymes, and (3) trapping toxic amounts of adenine nucleosides and nucleotides as a result of inhibition of adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase respectively.

Segregation and rearrangement of coamplified genes in different lineages of mutant cells that overproduce adenylate deaminase.

Four genes encoding proteins designated as W, X, Y1, and Y2 were found previously to be amplified at different levels in a Chinese hamster fibroblast mutant line selected for overproduction of adenylate deaminase. To gain information on the molecular mechanisms responsible, we studied the levels of amplification and the structures of these four genes in several lineages of mutant cells with comparable activities of adenylate deaminase, the selected enzyme. Only the W gene was amplified in all the lines. In one line, the X, Y1, and Y2 genes were coamplified, while in others either the Y1 gene or the pair X and Y2 were coamplified. The results were consistent with linkage of all the genes--in a particular order--in an amplifiable sequence with variable endpoints. Novel joints with a nonrandom distribution were observed. We frequently detected rearranged copies of the W gene, but very few novel joints were present in the other three genes in the six highly amplified lines examined. Some of the novel joints in gene W were highly amplified; they were generated by reamplification of a rearrangement that appeared at an early selection step. In some lines, reamplification was accompanied by deletion or mass correction of preexisting units. We discuss mechanisms which might account for these observations.

Segregation and rearrangement of coamplified genes in different lineages of mutant cells that overproduce adenylate deaminase.

Four genes encoding proteins designated as W, X, Y1, and Y2 were found previously to be amplified at different levels in a Chinese hamster fibroblast mutant line selected for overproduction of adenylate deaminase. To gain information on the molecular mechanisms responsible, we studied the levels of amplification and the structures of these four genes in several lineages of mutant cells with comparable activities of adenylate deaminase, the selected enzyme. Only the W gene was amplified in all the lines. In one line, the X, Y1, and Y2 genes were coamplified, while in others either the Y1 gene or the pair X and Y2 were coamplified. The results were consistent with linkage of all the genes--in a particular order--in an amplifiable sequence with variable endpoints. Novel joints with a nonrandom distribution were observed. We frequently detected rearranged copies of the W gene, but very few novel joints were present in the other three genes in the six highly amplified lines examined. Some of the novel joints in gene W were highly amplified; they were generated by reamplification of a rearrangement that appeared at an early selection step. In some lines, reamplification was accompanied by deletion or mass correction of preexisting units. We discuss mechanisms which might account for these observations.

Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency: primary and secondary types.

Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, the most common of the known enzyme deficits of muscle, appears to occur in two forms. The primary type seems to be inherited as a complete gene block in an autosomal recessive pattern. Although occasionally diagnosed in infancy, when muscle biopsy is performed on a hypotonic but normoreflexic child, the deficiency is usually not symptomatic until adult or middle age, when muscle cramping and exercise intolerance develop. The skeletal muscle isozyme is immunologically, and presumably genetically, unique, and these patients have normal levels of adenylate deaminase in their other cells and tissues. A presumptive diagnosis can usually be made by an ischemic forearm exercise test, which shows a negligible increase in blood ammonia, despite a normal rise in lactate. Despite the absence of more than 99% of normal adenylate deaminase activity, the muscle biopsy shows no anatomic pathology, and other enzymes are at normal levels. These patients do not suffer progressive disease, and should be reassured and encouraged to maintain physical activity. The heterozygous state is probably asymptomatic, except, perhaps, on extreme exercise, but may be associated with an increased incidence of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. Since the gene defect is not rare, it is not surprising that some cases of the deficiency will be coincidentally associated with other neuromuscular disease. However, there is also a secondary form of myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, consequent to muscle damage from other disease. In this form, the residual activity is higher (1-10% of normal), may present rare foci of positive stain in the section, and reacts normally with antibody to the muscle isozyme. Other muscle enzymes are also depleted, although not as severely, and the prognosis in such cases is dictated by the primary disease. Since the heterozygous state is common, these patients might have been carriers whose adenylate deaminase levels have been lowered to the deficient category by the advent of other neuromuscular disease.

Amino-acid metabolism enzyme activities in the liver, intestine and yolk sac membrane of developing domestic fowl

To contribute to our understanding of nitrogen metabolism in the developing chick we have studied in liver, intestine and yolk sac membrane the ontogeny of both aspartate- and alanine transaminases, glutamate dehydrogenase, adenylate deaminase, glutamine synthetase and xanthine dehydrogenase activities. Liver enzyme activities were much higher than those of the same enzymes in intestine and yolk sac membrane, the latter having the lowest activities. In the liver, both alanine transaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase increased their activity just before hatching, xanthine dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase develop their highest activity just after hatching, while aspartate transaminase and adenylate deaminase attained the highest levels just with adulthood. From the pattern of enzyme activity in yolk sac membrane and intestine it can be inferred that after hatching, the amino-acid metabolism in these tissues is considerably enhanced, with higher production of ammonia from amino acids, as indicated by the rise in adenylate deaminase, as well as increased potentiality in production of both alanine and glutamine. It can be concluded that hatching coincides with a deep change of pace in amino-acid metabolism in the organs studied fully comparable with that observed in Mammals at the end of lactation, with the difference that the adaptation to the new diet in the case of the chick is much more sudden than weaning is for the rat.

Effect of starvation and a protein diet on the amino acid metabolism enzyme activities of the organs of domestic fowl hatchlings

1. 1. The activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases, adenylate deaminase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate and xanthine dehydrogenases have been measured in liver, yolk sac membrane, intestine and breast and leg muscle of domestic fowl hatchlings receiving for 3 or 5 days either a standard diet or hard boiled eggwhite as well as in 3 or 5 days starved animals. 2. 2. The patterns of activation of amino acid metabolism enzymes were fully comparable in protein-fed and starved groups with respect to fed controls; the differences with respect to the latter became more marked in 5- than in 3-days old chicks. 3. 3. In 5-days old chicks intestine alanine transaminase activity increased in parallel to that of liver in protein-fed animals but not in those starved, in agreement with an enhanced alanine transfer between both organs under this situation. 4. 4. Both, starvation and protein-feeding, induced a general decrease in the amino acid metabolizing ability of muscle. Glutamine (but not alanine) synthetizing capabilities were enhanced.