Regulation of sulfotransferase activity by vitamin K in mouse brain.

We have shown previously that the administration of warfarin to 16-day-old mice results in a significant reduction in levels of sulfatides, and to a lesser degree a reduction of other sphingolipids in brain. Vitamin K stimulates biosynthesis of sulfatides in warfarin-treated mice. We now report that warfarin inhibits brain sulfotransferase activity. This inhibition is reversed by vitamin K. The treatment of normal mice with vitamin K stimulates the activities of sulfotransferase and arylsulfatase and the turnover rate of brain sulfatides. The ability of vitamin K to influence the activity of biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes and the turnover of sulfatides suggests a possible regulatory role for vitamin K in the maturing brain.