Relationship between phosphorylation of tyrosine aminotransferase and regulation of its synthesis by cyclic AMP and hormones.

Tyrosine adminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) has been found to be phosphorylated in intact rat hepatoma cells in culture. Incorporation of [32p]i into the enzyme is rapid and is exclusively found as phosphoserine. Cycloheximide treatment reduced phosphorylation of the aminotransferase only slightly and in the presence of three different inducers of this enzyme, dexamethasone, insulin, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, [32P]I incorporation was increased. It is concluded that [32p]i incorporation into this enzyme probably reflects turnover of phosphate groups associated with pre-existing enzyme molecules catalyzed by a cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase.