Amino acid transport in hepatoma cell cultures during tyrosine aminotransferase induction.

Alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport in hepatoma cells in culture was increased by insulin but not by hydrocortisone. Both of these agents induce tyrosine aminotransferase activity in this system. The apparent increase in alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport and tyrosine aminotransferase activity produced by glucagon is probably caused by insulin contamination. Insulin did not increase transport in this system until after tyrosine aminotransferase activity had reached maximum levels. The mechanisms underlying increased alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport appear to differ from those for tyrosine aminotransferase induction with hydrocortisone despite their close association in previous whole animal experiments.