3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine-induced synthesis of rat liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.

Recent studies have indicated that the starvation induced increase in hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPck; EC 4.1.1.32) is accelerated in hyperthyroid animals, whereas enzyme degradation is unaffected by the thyroid state. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the possible direct effect of T3 on the synthesis of this important gluconeogenic regulatory enzyme in vivo and in the isolated perfused liver. T3 injection in hypothyroid animals stimulated PEPck synthesis within 6-12 h. The effect, being dose dependent and significant for 0.1 microgram T3/100 g BW, could be demonstrated in animals fasted or fed a carbohydrate-rich diet. Although varying in the basal rate of synthesis, the T3-induced increase in PEPck synthesis was similar in intact, thyroidectomized, adrenalectomized, and hypophysectomized animals. No additive effect with glucocorticoids was observed, suggesting that endogenous glucocorticoids are not necessary for the hormone action. The T3-induced effect on PEPck synthesis was not mediated by alterations in the endogenous cAMP level, as was indicated (1) by the different time course of PEPck induction via (Bu)2cAMP or T3, and 2) by the finding that T3 was effective also in diabetic animals, despite maximally enhanced tissue cAMP levels. In these animals insulin antagonized the T3 action on the enzyme. T3-mediated PEPck synthesis was not prevented by propranolol. Conversely, an additive effect with isoproterenol on enzyme activity was observed. T3 (1 nM) added to the isolated liver of hypothyroid rats perfused with the synthetic fluorocarbon medium supplemented with 10% iodothyronine free serum, stimulated incorporation of labeled leucine into PEPck protein within a 6-h perfusion time. Taken together, our data demonstrate that T3 at a physiological dose stimulates hepatic PEPck synthesis.