3':5'-Cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase activities in white and brown adipose tissues of cold-acclimated rats.

3':5'-Cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) (EC 3.1.4.17) activity was measured in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and in white epididymal adipose tissue of rats acclimated to constant or fluctuating cold. Experiments were carried out on isolated adipocytes or tissue homogenates. In brown or white adipose tissue or isolated adipocyte homogenates, two different apparent Km values were found according to the substrate (cAMP) concentration. The low Km was at about 10(-6) M and the high one at about 10(-4) M. The apparent V of the high Km enzyme was about 10-fold higher than the V of the low Km enzyme. Cold acclimation to constant or fluctuating cold did not modify appreciably the Km or V values. For low substrate concentrations (10(-6)-10(-8) M), the specific activity of PDE expressed per milligram of protein was decreased in BAT adipocytes of the two groups of cold-acclimated rats, compared to controls. Inversely, it was increased in total tissue homogenates. These variations were smaller in fluctuating cold than in constant cold-acclimate rats. They could, in part, induce the increases in lipolysis and in blood flow observed in the BAT of cold-acclimated rats.     

Subunits of sterol sulphate sulphohydrolase from human placenta microsomes.

A procedure for separation of the catalytic and regulatory subunits of sterol sulphate sulphohydrolase from human placenta microsomes with the use of Concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography is presented. The Km value for the catalytic subunit with oestrone sulphate is 1.2 x 10(-5) M. The Hill coefficient value h, for the reconstituted enzyme complex is 3, the S0.5 = 0.68 x 10(-3) M and the value of Km is 0.31 x 10(-12) M. The regulatory subunit is trypsin sensitive, while the catalytic one is resistant to trypsin digestion.     

Identification and partial purification of a unique phenolic steroid sulphotransferase in rat liver cytosol.

Phenolic steroid sulphotransferase activity for both oestradiol and oestrone was identified in male rat liver cytosol in the 30 000-40 000 Mr fractions on gel filtration when activity was assayed at pH 5.5 (pH optimum 5.5-6.0). Activity for oestradiol but not oestrone was found in the 60 000-70 000-Mr range when assayed at pH 8.0 (pH optimum biphasic, 5.5-6.0 and 7.0-8.0). Km for oestradiol (1.3 microM) was lower than published values for hydroxysteroid sulphotransferases (15-35 microM) and previously reported oestradiol sulphotransferases (71-85 microM). At above 2 microM-oestradiol phenolic sulphotransferase activity exhibited substrate inhibition. The phenolic steroid sulphotransferase activity was found to be distinct in chromatofocusing from organic-anion-binding and bile acid-binding proteins previously identified in this Mr range. Further purification on hydroxyapatite yielded a 44-fold enriched fraction that contained two monomeric bands, Mr 32 500 and 29 500.     

Sex steroid binding proteins in the plasma of hatchling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonia mydas</Emphasis>

Sex steroid binding proteins were identified in hatchling female and male Chelonia mydas by dialysis and steady-state gel electrophoresis when examined at 4 degrees C. A testosterone binding protein with high binding affinity (K (a) = 0.98 +/- 0.5 x 10(8) M(-1)) and low to moderate binding capacity (B (max) = 7.58 +/- 4.2 x 10(-5) M) was observed in male hatchlings. An oestradiol binding protein with high affinity (K (a) = 0.35 +/- 1.8 x 10(8) M(-1)) and low to moderate binding capacity (B (max) = 0.16 +/- 0.5 x 10(-4) M) was identified in female hatchlings. This study confirmed that sex steroid binding proteins (SSBPs) become inactivate in both sexes at 36 degrees C, the maximum body temperature of sea turtle hatchlings at emergence. The inactivation of SSBPs at this temperature indicates that sex steroid hormones circulate freely in the body of the green turtles and are biologically available in the blood plasma. This observation is consistent with female and male hatchling C. mydas having different physiological (hormonal) and developmental requirements around the time of emergence. Moreover, concurrently conducted competition studies showed that sex steroids including testosterone and oestradiol do compete for binding sites in both male and female C. mydas hatchling plasma. Competition also occurred between testosterone and dihydrotestosterone for binding sites in the male C. mydas plasma. However, competition studies in the plasma of female hatchling C. mydas demonstrate that oestrone does not compete with oestradiol for binding sites.     

Purification of steroid sulphohydrolase from human placenta microsomes

A procedure for purification of oestrone sulphate sulphohydrolase from human placenta microsomes was elaborated. The use of Concanavalin-A-Sepharose chromatography made it possible to separate, for the first time, oestrone sulphate sulphohydrolase (Mr 36,000, optimum pH 7.0, Km 5.5 X 10(-5) M, specific activity 1563 nmol X min-1 X mg protein-1) from arylsulphatase C (Mr 45,000, optimum pH 7.6, Km 0.96 X 10(-3) M). The observed third subfraction showed both arylsulphate C and oestrone sulphate sulphohydrolase activity. Sigmoidal kinetics of oestrone sulphate sulphohydrolase after DEAE-cellulose chromatography (Mr 130,000) points to the allosteric character of the enzyme.     

Sexual difference in properties of 5 alpha-reductase in microsome of rat submandibular glands

The properties of 5 alpha-reductase activity in the submandibular glands of rats were investigated using microsomal fraction in the presence of NADPH, and we found a sexual difference in these properties. The formation of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol from testosterone demonstrated 5 alpha-reductase in the rat microsomal fraction of this tissue sample. Apparent michaelis constants (Km) of the 5 alpha-reductase activity for testosterone was 1.02 x 10(-6) M for the female tissue. Microsomal fraction of submandibular glands of male rats had two Kms and were determined as 1.12 x 10(-6) M and 1.01 x 10(-5) M. The lower Km of 5 alpha-reductase for male rats was similar to for the females.     

Kinetic studies on microsomal glucose dehydrogenase in rat liver.

Glucose dehydrogenase from rat liver microsomes was found to react not only with glucose as a substrate but also with glucose 6-phosphate, 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate and galactose 6-phosphate. The relative maximum activity of this enzyme was 29% for glucose 6-phosphate, 99% for 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate, and 25% for galactose 6-phosphate, compared with 100% for glucose with NADP. The enzyme could utilize either NAD or NADP as a coenzyme. Using polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis, we were able to detect several enzymatically active bands by incubation of the gels in a tetrazolium assay mixture. Each band had different Km values for the substrates (3.0 x 10(-5)M glucose 6-phosphate with NADP to 2.4M glucose with NAD) and for coenzymes (1.3 x 10(-6)M NAD with galactose 6-phosphate to 5.9 x 10(-5)M NAD with glucose). Though glucose 6-phosphate and galactose 6-phosphate reacted with glucose dehydrogenase, they inhibited the reaction of this enzyme only when either glucose or 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate was used as a substrate. The Ki values for glucose 6-phosphate with glucose as substrate were 4.0 x 10(-6)M with NAD, and 8.4 x 10(-6)M with NADP; for galactose 6-phosphate they were 6.7 x10(-6)M with NAD and 6.0 x 10(-6)M with NADP. The Ki values for glucose 6-phosphate with 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate as substrate were 6.3 x 10(-6)M with NAD and 8.9 x 10(-6)M with NADP; and for galactose 6-phosphate, 8.0 x 10(-6)M with NAD and 3.5 x 10(-6)M with NADP. Both NADH and NADPH inhibited glucose dehydrogenase when the corresponding oxidized coenzymes were used (Ki values: 8.0 x 10(-5)M by NADH and 9.1 x 10(-5)M by NADPH), while only NADPH inhibited cytoplasmic glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Ki: 2.4 x 10(-5)M). The results indicate that glucose dehydrogenase cannot directly oxidize glucose in vivo, but it might play a similar role to glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The differences in the kinetics of glucose dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase show that glucose 6-phosphate and galactose 6-phosphate could be metabolized in quite different ways in the microsomes and cytoplasm of rat liver.     

Dog liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: purification and kinetic properties

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) catalyses the first step of the pentose phosphate pathway which generates NADPH for anabolic pathways and protection systems in liver. G6PD was purified from dog liver with a specific activity of 130 U x mg(-1) and a yield of 18%. PAGE showed two bands on protein staining; only the slower moving band had G6PD activity. The observation of one band on SDS/PAGE with M(r) of 52.5 kDa suggested the faster moving band on native protein staining was the monomeric form of the enzyme.Dog liver G6PD had a pH optimum of 7.8. The activation energy, activation enthalpy, and Q10, for the enzymatic reaction were calculated to be 8.96, 8.34 kcal x mol(-1), and 1.62, respectively.The enzyme obeyed "Rapid Equilibrium Random Bi Bi" kinetic model with Km values of 122 +/- 18 microM for glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and 10 +/- 1 microM for NADP. G6P and 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate were used with catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) of 1.86 x 10(6) and 5.55 x 10(6) M(-1) x s(-1), respectively. The intrinsic Km value for 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate was 24 +/- 4mM. Deamino-NADP (d-NADP) could replace NADP as coenzyme. With G6P as cosubstrate, Km d-ANADP was 23 +/- 3mM; Km for G6P remained the same as with NADP as coenzyme (122 +/- 18 microM). The catalytic efficiencies of NADP and d-ANADP (G6P as substrate) were 2.28 x 10(7) and 6.76 x 10(6) M(-1) x s(-1), respectively. Dog liver G6PD was inhibited competitively by NADPH (K(i)=12.0 +/- 7.0 microM). Low K(i) indicates tight enzyme:NADPH binding and the importance of NADPH in the regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway.     

Purification and characterization of a secreted laccase of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici.

We purified a secreted fungal laccase from filtrates of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici cultures induced with copper and xylidine. The active protein had an apparent molecular mass of 190 kDa and yielded subunits with molecular masses of 60 kDa when denatured and deglycosylated. This laccase had a pI of 5.6 and an optimal pH of 4.5 with 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as its substrate. Like other, previously purified laccases, this one contained several copper atoms in each subunit, as determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. The active enzyme catalyzed the oxidation of 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol (Km = 2.6 x 10(-5) +/- 7 x 10(-6) M), catechol (Km = 2.5 x 10(-4) +/- 1 x 10(-5) M), pyrogallol (Km = 3.1 x 10(-4) +/- 4 x 10(-5) M), and guaiacol (Km = 5.1 x 10(-4) +/- 2 x 10(-5) M). In addition, the laccase catalyzed the polymerization of 1, 8-dihydroxynaphthalene, a natural fungal melanin precursor, into a high-molecular-weight melanin and catalyzed the oxidation, or decolorization, of the dye poly B-411, a lignin-like polymer. These findings indicate that this laccase may be involved in melanin polymerization in this phytopathogen's hyphae and/or in lignin depolymerization in its infected plant host.     

Membrane-bound succinate dehydrogenase of Bacillus pumilus strain 5: effects of modulators of monoelectron transfer

The membrane-bound succinate dehydrogenase (SDH; EC 1.3.99.1) of Bacillus pumilus strain 5 was investigated as succinate:ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity at 27 degrees C. A Km of 8.3 x 10(-3) M was obtained, and the Vmax was 1.8 x 10(-6) mole succinate dehydrogenated min-1 mg-1 membrane protein, at a substrate (succinate) concentration below 40 x 10(-3) M. Above this succinate concentration the Km was 102 x 10(-3) M and the Vmax was 3.7 x 10(-6) mole succinate min-1 mg-1 membrane protein. Para-benzoquinone or 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, in micromolar amounts inhibited the enzyme by serving as an electron sink. Hydroxyl radical (OH.) scavengers, mannitol and benzoate, activated the enzyme, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) had no effect on the enzyme. Thus, the mechanism of electron transfer from succinate to Fe(CN)3-(6) through SDH does not involve superoxide (O2-) as a rate-limiting intermediate.     

Monomeric purine nucleoside phosphorylase from rabbit liver. Purification and characterization.

Rabbit liver purine nucleoside phosphorylase (purine nucleoside: orthophosphate ribosyltransferase EC 2.4.2.1.) was purified to homogeneity by column chromatography and ammonium sulfate fractionation. Homogeneity was established by disc gel electrophoresis in presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and isoelectric focusing. Molecular weights of 46,000 and 39,000 were determined, respectively, by gel filtration and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Product inhibition was observed with guanine and hypoxanthine as strong competitive inhibitors for the enzymatic phosphorolysis of guanosine. Respective Kis calculated were 1.25 x 10(-5) M for guanine and 2.5 x 10(-5) M for hypoxanthine. Ribose 1-phosphate, another product of the reaction, gave noncompetitive inhibition with guanosine as variable substrate, and an inhibition constant of 3.61 x 10(-4) M was calculated. The protection of essential --SH groups on the enzyme, by 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol, was necessary for the maintenance of enzyme activity. Noncompetitive inhibition was observed for p-chloromercuribenzoate with an inhibition constant of 5.68 x 10(-6)M. Complete reversal of this inhibition by an excess of 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol was demonstrated. In the presence of methylene blue, the enzyme showed a high sensitivity to photooxidation and a dependence of photoinactivation on pH, strongly implicating histidine as the susceptible group at the active site of the enzyme. The pKa values determined for ionizable groups of the active site of the enzyme were near pH 5.5 and pH 8.5 The chemical and kinetic evidences suggest that histidine and cysteine may be essential for catalysis. Inorganic orthophosphate (Km 1.54 x 10(-2) M) was an obligatory anion requirement, and arsenate substituted for phosphate with comparable results. Guanosine (Km 5.00 x 10(-5) M), deoxyguanosine (Km 1.00 x 10(-4)M) and inosine (Km 1.33 x 10(-4)M), were substrates for enzymatic phosphorolysis. Xanthosine was an extremely poor substrate, and adenosine was not phosphorylyzed at 20-fold excess of the homogeneous enzyme. Guanine (Km 1.82 x 10(-5)M),ribose 1-phosphate (Km 1.34 x 10(-4) M) and hypoxanthine were substrates for the reverse reaction, namely, the enzymatic synthesis of nucleosides. The initial velocity studies of the saturation of the enzyme with guanosine, at various fixed concentrations of inorganic orthophosphate, suggest a sequential bireactant catalytic mechanism for the enzyme.     

Steroid metabolism by endometrial and conceptus tissues during early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in gilts

Endometrial and conceptus tissues were obtained on Days 10.5, 11, 12, 16 and 25 of pregnancy and Day 25 of pseudopregnancy of gilts and incubated for 6 h in Minimal Essential Medium (5 ml) containing 35 ng [3H]progesterone. Metabolism of [3H]progesterone to oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol was determined by gas and high-pressure liquid chromatography and successive recrystallizations with unlabelled standards. Conceptuses collected between Days 10.5 and 12 were spherical, tubular or filamentous and incubated with 500 mg endometrium and [3H]progesterone. Production of oestrone by spherical conceptuses was not detected, but was 44-47 pg/tubular conceptus and 21 pg/filamentous conceptus. A similar trend was observed for oestradiol. Conceptus tissues from Days 16 and 25 (chorion) were most active in producing oestrone (123 and 520 pg/mg tissue, respectively) and oestradiol (277 and 876 pg/mg tissue, respectively). Endometrial oestrogen production was less than that for conceptus tissue for oestrone and oestradiol on Days 16 and 25 of gestation. Coincubations of endometrium and conceptus tissues had lower oestrogen production than conceptus alone. Endometrium from Day 25 of pseudopregnancy metabolized [3H]progesterone to several non-polar metabolites, but no oestrogens were detected. An unidentified phenolic metabolite of [3H]progesterone was detected in higher quantities than either oestrone or oestradiol; 445 to 461 pg/conceptus at the tubular stage. These results indicate temporal changes in the conversion of [3H]progesterone to oestrogens by conceptus and endometrial tissue from pregnant gilts, but not endometrium from pseudopregnant gilts.     

Modulation of phospholipase A2 activity in human endometrium and amniotic membrane by steroid hormones

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity was measured in endometrium and amnion by a double isotope ratio technique using 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine as substrate in the presence and absence of a range of unconjugated steroids and steroid sulphates (0.2–6.4 × 10⁻⁴ M). In the presence of 0.1% Triton, PLA2 activity was inhibited by the majority of steroids tested, pregnenolone sulphate being the most effective (12.9 ± 3.0% control activity) while oestradiol sulphate, oestrone and testosterone had only a minimal or no effect (99.1 ± 19.0, 85.4 ± 4.4 and 104.2 ± 16.3% control respectively). In the absence of Triton, the inhibitory effect of the free steroids was reduced or absent but oestradiol sulphate and testosterone sulphate stimulated activity by 2–13 and 1.5–3 times respectively. The effect was dose related, linear with time and independent of the stage of the menstrual cycle. Inhibition by pregnenolone sulphate, dehydroepiandrosterone (DMA sulphate and oestrone sulphate was maintained in the absence of Triton (24.9 ± 3.8, 67.1 ± 10.1 and 87.2 ± 13.8% control respectively). In amnion all 5 steroid sulphates caused a marked stimulation of PLA2 activity in both the presence and absence of Triton. The effect was greatest without Triton and at 6.4 × 10⁻⁴ M, testosterone, pregnenolone, oestrone, DHA and oestradiol sulphates increased PLA2 activity 20, 15, 12, 10 and 6-fold respectively. These findings indicate a direct action of steroid sulphates on PLA2 activity in endometrium and amnion.     

Cyclic excretion of urinary oestrogens in female tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

Urine was collected from 6 female cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus o. oedipus) and urinary oestrone and oestradiol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Oestrone was excreted at 50-fold higher concentrations than oestradiol. Five females showed patterns of regular oestrone cyclicity, with a mean peak-to-peak oestrone cycle of 23.6 +/- 1.2 days. Levels of oestradiol tended to vary with levels of oestrone excretion, but peaks were less pronounced and more variable. The sixth female, diagnosed as having 'wasting marmoset syndrome', had very low levels of excreted oestrogens, suggesting infertility. We suggest that urinary oestrone provides a good index to ovarian cyclicity in female cotton-top tamarins.     

Comparative properties of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) acetylcholinesterases

1. Acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) from channel catfish and blue crabs were examined for substrate preference, KmS, effects of inhibitors, and pH and osmotic activity profiles. 2. Similarities were noted for substrate preference along with pH and osmotic optima. 3. Crab AChE had a lower Km (9 x 10(-5) vs 2 x 10(-4) M) and was more sensitive in terms of KI50S than fish AChE to eserine (2.6 x 10(-7) vs 3 x 10(-7) M), malathion (4.5 x 10(-5) vs 1.6 x 10(-4) M) and parathion (6.9 x 10(-5) vs 7 x 10(-4) M). 4. Fish AChE appeared easier to solubilize using Triton X-100.     

Ca2+-activated ATPase reaction of myosin from human cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle cells

A comparative study of Ca2+ activated ATPase reaction of myosin isolated from cardiac, skeletal and smooth human muscles shows that on the molecules of all kinds of myosins there exist two types of centres binding the substrate CaATP with high and low affinity (Km approximately 1.6 x 10(-6) M and Km approximately 200 x 10(6) M respectively). Hydrolysis of ATP by myosin is noncompetitively activated by three types of Ca2+ binding sites on its molecule, having different affinity. The association constants (KaCa) for the smooth muscles are several times higher than those for skeletal and cardiac muscles.     

On the significance of in situ production of oestrogens in human breast cancer tissue

We have previously shown that human breast cancer is autonomous in the regulation of its intra-tissue oestradiol concentration. Breast fatty tissue does not have this capacity, but rather reflects changes in the peripheral oestradiol concentration. To further evaluate the relative contribution of breast cancer and fatty tissue to the maintenance of tumour oestradiol we investigated whether a tumour-directed gradient in aromatase activity and oestrogen levels existed in mastectomy specimens. No such gradient was found, however, for aromatase, oestrone, oestradiol and their sulphates. Aromatase activity (expressed per gram of tissue) and the concentrations of oestradiol, oestradiol sulphate and oestrone sulphate were higher in tumour than in breast fatty tissue. Fatty tissue had a higher oestrone concentration. It is tentatively concluded that breast tumour aromatase activity is more important for the maintenance of tumour oestradiol levels than aromatase in breast fatty tissue.     

On the significance of in situ production of oestrogens in human breast cancer tissue.

We have previously shown that human breast cancer is autonomous in the regulation of its intra-tissue oestradiol concentration. Breast fatty tissue does not have this capacity, but rather reflects changes in the peripheral oestradiol concentration. To further evaluate the relative contribution of breast cancer and fatty tissue to the maintenance of tumour oestradiol we investigated whether a tumour-directed gradient in aromatase activity and oestrogen levels existed in mastectomy specimens. No such gradient was found, however, for aromatase, oestrone, oestradiol and their sulphates. Aromatase activity (expressed per gram of tissue) and the concentrations of oestradiol, oestradiol sulphate and oestrone sulphate were higher in tumour than in breast fatty tissue. Fatty tissue had a higher oestrone concentration. It is tentatively concluded that breast tumour aromatase activity is more important for the maintenance of tumour oestradiol levels than aromatase in breast fatty tissue.     

Changes in oestrogen-synthesizing ability of preovulatory bovine follicles relative to the peak of LH

Preovulatory bovine follicles (n = 28) were collected at different times after the onset of standing oestrus until shortly before ovulation. In-vitro conversion of tritiated androstenedione in the presence of NADPH by homogenates of the follicular wall was compared in phases relative to the LH peak. During phase 0 (before the LH surge) conversion into oestradiol-17 beta was high and production of oestrone was about 8-fold lower. During phases 1 (0-6 h after the LH peak) and 2A (6-14 h after the LH peak) the production of oestradiol and oestrone remained constant; the percentage of remaining androstenedione increased. In phase 2B (14-20 h after the LH peak) conversion into oestradiol and oestrone had decreased to about one third correlating with a higher percentage of remaining androstenedione. In phase 3 (20 h after the LH peak until ovulation) conversion into oestradiol and oestrone remained constant. The ratio between the production of oestrone and oestradiol remained constant throughout the phases of preovulatory development (0.13), indicating a concurrent inhibition of aromatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. Conversion into 19-hydroxyandrostenedione showed a pattern similar to that of oestradiol, and testosterone was produced in minute quantities. The results indicate that in preovulatory bovine follicles eventual inhibition of aromatization takes place at about 14 h after the preovulatory LH peak.     

Glycerolipid biosynthesis in rat adipose tissue. 11. Effects of polyamines on Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase

The effect of polyamines (spermine, spermidine and putrescine) on the Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase was investigated. Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity was measured in the presence of aqueous dispersed phosphatidate as substrate, and the release of inorganic phosphate was taken as a measure of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity. In the presence of various polyamines there was activation of the Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity. Under this condition, the Km of enzyme towards phosphatidase decreased from 1.6 x 10(-4) to 9.8 x 10(-5) M and the Mg2+ requirement decreased from 5 to 0.5 mM. These polyvalent cations did not replace Mg2+, but potentiate the phosphohydrolase activity in the presence of Mg2+. The activation of Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity by polyamines was observed in the presence of 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine, suggesting that these modulators of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity may be acting through different mechanisms. These studies demonstrate that polyamines may be important regulators of Mg2+-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity in adipose tissue.