The subcellular distribution of rat liver serine-pyruvate aminotransferase

Biochem J. 1982 Feb 15;202(2):483-90. doi: 10.1042/bj2020483.

Abstract

1. The subcellular distribution of L-serine-pyruvate aminotransferase activity in rat liver was investigated. About 80% was recovered from cell-free homogenates in a 'total-particles' fraction and the remainder in the cytosol. 2. Subfractionation of the particles by differential sedimentation and on sucrose density gradients showed a distribution for serine-pyruvate aminotransferase activity closely matching that observed for mitochondrial marker enzymes. 3. A study of the solubilization of enzymes from combined subcellular particles by digitonin at various concentrations also indicated a common subcellular location for serine-pyruvate aminotransferase and established mitochondrial enzymes. 4. The increase in liver serine-pyruvate amino-transferase activity induced by glucagon injection was accounted for as an increased mitochondrial activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Digitonin
  • Glucagon / pharmacology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Subcellular Fractions / drug effects
  • Subcellular Fractions / enzymology
  • Transaminases / metabolism*
  • Ultracentrifugation

Substances

  • Glucagon
  • Transaminases
  • serine-pyruvate aminotransferase
  • Digitonin