Hormonal control of cholesterogenesis and related enzymes in isolated rat hepatocytes during pre- and postnatal development.

The effect of glucagon and insulin on the incorporation of 1-14C-acetate into cholesterol and fatty acids and on the enzymes involved in the first steps of cholesterol synthesis (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A synthase, and acetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase) was investigated. Isolated rat hepatocytes at different stages of fetal and postnatal development were employed. Data obtained show the appearance of hormonal control on the 18th day of fetal life, indicating the same pattern, as regards acetate incorporation and HMGCoA reductase prepared and assayed in the presence of NaF. On the contrary, HMGCoA reductase, prepared without NaF, HMGCoA synthase, and acetoacetyl CoA thiolase, does not appear to respond to hormonal stimulation. In the perinatal period, the hormonal effect is no longer detectable, probably because of a hormone resistance of this metabolic pathway.