Analysis of hormonal–dietary interactions and the role of gluconeogenesis in the regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase in rats
The extent of stimulation of rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase by Cortisol and glucagon is inversely proportional to the basal activity of the enzyme in adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized rats. The basal activity is low in animals fed a high-carbohydrate diet leading to high hormonal stimulation of the enzyme, and high in animals fed a high-protein diet leading to minimal or no hormonal stimulation. The dietary modifications of the hormonal effects have been analyzed into two independent processes. Upon short-term starvation, the enzyme activity declines rapidly in animals previously fed a high-protein diet but rises rapidly in animals previously fed a high-carbohydrate diet. Superimposing a positive (hormonal) effect on these two diametrically opposite processes results in profound modification of the hormonal effect on the enzyme activity. The experiments further suggest that the regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase is coupled with gluconeogenic activity per se rather than with a primary hormonal action at the genetic level.