Effects of handling and etherization on incorporation of [3H] lysine into protein of mouse brain and liver.

A standardized handling experience of 20 sec duration elevated the amount of radioactive lysine incorporated into brain total proteins during a 10 min labeling period begun either 10 min or 30 min after the handling. Etherization for 20 sec produced similar metabolic changes. Incorporation of [3H] lysine into liver proteins was minimally affected by handling, while slightly altered by etherization. The metabolic changes detected in the brain after handling did not appear to be side-effects of changes in blood-borne radioactivity. The results indicate that laboratory stresses often thought to be of minor importance can have large effects on ordinary assays of protein metabolism in brain.