Regulation of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase in the frog Rana temporaria.

The regulation of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (L-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) in the rat has been extensively studied but little is known about the enzyme from other sources. We have studied the regulation of this enzyme in the frog Rana temporaria and in this paper we report that: 1. Cortisone acetate, adrenocorticotropic hormone and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, an agent known to induce hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase in the rat via activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis, have no effect on the activity of the enzyme in the frog. 2. Dibutyryl-3',5'-cyclic AMP induces the enzyme to about 2-fold. 3. Injection of tyrosine methyl ester and a protein-rich diet result in an increase in the enzyme activity. This increase is of the same order of magnitude as that caused by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. 4. Glucose significantly reduces tyrosine aminotransferase activity in frog liver. These results suggest that cyclic AMP induces the enzyme via a mechanism independent of glucocorticoids. The frog offers a model for studies on the regulation of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase in vivo without interference from secondary effects mediated by the adrenals.