Ornithine decarboxylase in rat small intestine: stimulation with food or insulin.

Ornithine decarboxylase in the small intestine of starved rats was stimulated 3- to 10-fold by refeeding or administration of insulin. A peak is observed 3-5 h following treatment after which the enzyme activity rapidly declines. The rise in ornithine decarboxylase is reduced by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. The increase in enzyme activity occurs mainly in the duodenum and jejunum with less than a twofold change being observed in the ileum. A small (twofold) increase in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity in the small intestine was observed after food, but there was no change in diamine oxidase activity. Whereas pentagastrin and metiamide administration markedly stimulated histidine decarbosylase in the gastric mucosa, no consistent effect of these agents on ornithine decarboxylase in the small intestine was observed. The similarities and differences between histidine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase are discussed.