Biomaterial Database

Effect of starvation on gene expression of regulatory enzymes of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. 1998

J X Pérez, and A Manzano, and A Tauler, and R Bartrons

Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques Humanes i de la Nutrició, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism that controls fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) accumulation, as well as the mRNAs levels of the glycolytic/gluconeogenic regulatory enzymes in the livers of fed and starved lean (fa/-) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. METHODS Rats were fed a standard chow or deprived of food for 24 h. METHODS Male lean (fa/-) and genetically obese (fa/fa) rats (nine weeks old). METHODS Fru-2,6-P2 concentration, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFK-2), glucokinase (GK), pyruvate kinase (PK) activities and the mRNA levels of GK, PFK-2, L-type pyruvate kinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase-1) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were analyzed. RESULTS PFK-2/FBPase-2 mRNA decreased during starvation in both fa/- and fa/fa animals. Although PFK-2/FBPase-2 mRNA levels were similar in fed lean and obese rats, PFK-2 concentration and activity were higher in fed obese than in fed lean animals, which might explain the high concentration of Fru-2,6-P2 observed in obese animals. During starvation, PFK-2 protein concentration decreased, correlating with the enzymatic activity and Fru-2,6-P2 levels. The activities of GK and L-pyruvate kinase (L-PK) also increased in fed obese (fa/fa) rats compared with fed lean (fa/-) animals, but decreased during starvation. The mRNA levels of glycolytic enzymes in fed obese rats were similar (PFK-2) or higher than (GK, L-PK) in fed lean animals. During starvation, they decreased in lean and obese rats with one important exception, GK mRNA remained high in obese animals. The mRNA of gluconeogenic enzymes remained constant (FBPase-1) or increased (PEPCK) during fasting. CONCLUSIONS The changes observed might be explained by the hyperinsulinaemia observed in the liver of obese rats, which might lead to the stimulation of glycolysis and lipogenesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008297	Male		Males
D009765	Obesity	A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D010729	Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)	An enzyme of the lyase class that catalyzes the conversion of GTP and oxaloacetate to GDP, phosphoenolpyruvate, and carbon dioxide. This reaction is part of gluconeogenesis in the liver. The enzyme occurs in both the mitochondria and cytosol of mammalian liver. (From Dorland, 27th ed) EC 4.1.1.32.	GTP-Dependent Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase,Carboxykinase, GTP-Dependent Phosphoenolpyruvate,GTP Dependent Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase,Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase, GTP-Dependent
D011770	Pyruvate Kinase	ATP:pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase. A phosphotransferase that catalyzes reversibly the phosphorylation of pyruvate to phosphoenolpyruvate in the presence of ATP. It has four isozymes (L, R, M1, and M2). Deficiency of the enzyme results in hemolytic anemia. EC 2.7.1.40.	L-Type Pyruvate Kinase,M-Type Pyruvate Kinase,M1-Type Pyruvate Kinase,M2-Type Pyruvate Kinase,Pyruvate Kinase L,R-Type Pyruvate Kinase,L Type Pyruvate Kinase,M Type Pyruvate Kinase,M1 Type Pyruvate Kinase,M2 Type Pyruvate Kinase,Pyruvate Kinase, L-Type,Pyruvate Kinase, M-Type,Pyruvate Kinase, M1-Type,Pyruvate Kinase, M2-Type,Pyruvate Kinase, R-Type,R Type Pyruvate Kinase
D011924	Rats, Zucker	Two populations of Zucker rats have been cited in research--the "fatty" or obese and the lean. The "fatty" rat (Rattus norvegicus) appeared as a spontaneous mutant. The obese condition appears to be due to a single recessive gene.	Zucker Rat,Zucker Rats,Rat, Zucker
D004790	Enzyme Induction	An increase in the rate of synthesis of an enzyme due to the presence of an inducer which acts to derepress the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis.	Induction, Enzyme
D005508	Food Deprivation	The withholding of food in a structured experimental situation.	Deprivation, Food,Deprivations, Food,Food Deprivations
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005941	Glucokinase	A group of enzymes that catalyzes the conversion of ATP and D-glucose to ADP and D-glucose 6-phosphate. They are found in invertebrates and microorganisms, and are highly specific for glucose. (Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2.7.1.2.