Inhibitory effects of orotate on precursor incorporation into nucleic acids.

The influence of orotic acid on the incorporation of precursors into nucleic acids was studied in mice and rats and in isolated cells. In vivo, orotate levels were modified by two diets which are known to increase the rate of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis in rat liver. Of these diets, a 1% orotate diet had greater inhibitory effects than an arginine-deficient diet on the incorporation of [3H]orotate into RNA of mouse kidney than mouse liver. This contrasted with the situation in the rat where there was a greater effect in the liver than the kidney. The situation in the rat was more readily interpreted than in the mouse in terms of previously established effects of these diets on ribonucleotide pool sizes. However, studies using [3H]adenosine as a precursor for incorporation into RNA suggested that even in the mouse the effects of orotate were on pool sizes rather than an inhibitory effect on RNA synthesis. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA was inhibited by orotate to a similar degree in cultured HTC hepatoma cells and a line of rat liver epithelial cells. An effect on DNA synthesis rather than solely on pool sizes was suggested by the observation that the pool size of dTTP was not increased by 5 mM orotate under conditions in which there was a four-fold increase in the level of UTP in HTC cells. An inhibitory effect of orotate on DNA synthesis was further supported by an observation of decreased incorporation of [3H]deoxyadenosine into DNA and a lower rate of cellular proliferation.     

Influence of the adrenal glucocorticoids on the stimulation of synthesis of hepatic ribonucleic acid and plasma acute-phase globulins by leucocytic endogenous mediator.

An injection of unpurified leucocytice endogenous mediator into rats results in an increased incorporation of [6(-14)C]orotate into hepatic RNA, an increase in the concentration of RNA associated with the bound ribosomal fraction of liver, and increases in the concentrations in serum of acute-phase proteins such as alpha2-macrofoetoprotein and haptoglobin. If given 3 days after adrenalectomy or 7 days after hypophysectomy,, leucocyte factor did not induce the increase in RNA synthesis or alpha2-macrofoetoprotein concentrations but did stimulate an increase in serum haptoglobin. When hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized rats received daily subcutaneous injections of 0.5mg of cortisol, leucocyte factor again induced a significant increase in the synthesis of hepatic RNA and an increase in the concentration of serum alpha2-macrofoetoprotein. These observations suggest that leucocyte factor can regulate acute-phase-protein synthesis at several different sites, one or more of which requires permissive action of the glucocorticoid hormones. Futher, leucocyte factor will stimulate an increase rate of incorporation of orotate into hepatic ribosomes when added in vitro in the presence of cortisol to a liver-perfusion system. Thus the stimulatory effect of leucocyte factor may be directy on liver but may require the presence of other hormones to stimulate the incorporation of orotate into RNA.     

Ribonucleic acid synthesis in rat liver during fatty acid stimulated secretion of very low density lipoproteins.

Production of very low density lipoproteins by the liver depends on the cellular availability of fatty acids. It is stimulated by the uptake of free fatty acids from the plasma and by increased lipogenesis and is inhibited by actinomycin D, suggesting that RNA synthesis is involved in the regulation of apolipoprotein synthesis. This hypothesis has been investigated in rats in vivo and in isolated perfused livers with and without stimulation by fatty acid overload: [14C] orotate incorporation in liver polyribosomal RNA is 60 per cent greater in stimulated livers as compared to controls. This increase is primarily due to a higher incorporation in bound polysomes and in those containing at least six ribosomes and does not result from the inhibition of ribonuclease. RNase digestion of polysomal RNA (4.10(-10) M enzyme, 0 degrees C, 3 h) shows that there is twice as much radioactivity in the hydrolyzed RNA of stimulated livers as compared to controls. After partial purification of poly A-rich RNA by affinity chromatography, the mass yield and radioactivity are increased by 100 per cent in stimulated livers as compared to controls. In conclusion, de novo RNA synthesis seems to be necessary for fatty acid stimulation of VLDL production.     

Effect of a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine on biosynthesis of nucleic acid and protein in rat liver and kidney

1. Administration of a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine to rats temporarily fed on a protein-deficient diet causes a high incidence of kidney tumours. The effect of such a dose of dimethylnitrosamine (40mg/kg body wt.) on metabolism of nucleic acids and protein in rat liver and kidneys was examined during the week immediately after administration. 2. Incorporation of [(14)C]leucine and [(14)C]orotate into hepatic macromolecules was inhibited within 5h of injection of dimethylnitrosamine, and did not recover for at least 5 days. Interpretation of these results is complicated by the concomitant extensive hepatic necrosis. 3. Renal RNA synthesis was assayed by incorporation of [(14)C]orotate in vivo and measurement of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in vitro. Both systems indicate biphasic inhibition; minimal activity was recorded 9h and 3 days after treatment. Changes in incorporation of [(14)C]leucine into renal protein were similar but less marked. 4. Sucrose-density-gradient analysis of renal cytoplasmic RNA indicated increased synthesis of rRNA 24h after injection of the nitrosamine. The rate of loss of radioactivity from kidney ribosomes pre-labelled with [(14)C]orotate was not modified by dimethylnitrosamine. 5. Dimethylnitrosamine increased incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine into renal DNA. The three distinct periods of stimulated synthesis observed are discussed, with particular reference to recently published morphological studies of the sequential development of kidney tumours induced by dimethylnitrosamine in protein-depleted rats.     

Effect of Endotoxin and Cortisone on Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid and Protein in Livers of Mice

The effect of cortisone and endotoxin, singly and in combination, on ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis in livers of adrenalectomized mice was determined. This was accomplished by measuring the incorporation either of inorganic (32)P or of (14)C-orotic acid into the RNA. Under similar conditions, the effect of these agents on the rate of protein synthesis was examined with the use of (14)C-leucine. Bacterial endotoxin was found to augment the uptake of isotope in the RNA and in the protein of the liver. These reactions did not appear to be mediated via the pancreatic hormone insulin, which was found to depress the incorporation of the radioactive compounds into RNA. Cortisone increased the uptake of isotope in liver RNA but depressed the incorporation of leucine into hepatic protein. These results indicate that the previously observed ability of endotoxin to prevent the hormone induction of hepatic enzymes, such as tryptophan oxygenase, is not associated with impaired synthesis of liver RNA or protein.     

Hormonal stimulation of 3H-orotic acid incorporation into RNA by serum-free cultured hepatocytes

Insulin and dexamethasone greatly stimulate the incorporation of 3H-orotic acid into RNA. Such a stimulation is associated to an increase in the uptake of the labelled precursor into the acid soluble fraction as well as in the the specific radioactivity of the nucleoside plus nucleotide pool suggesting that hormone supplementation does not affect RNA synthesis by cultured cells. The lack of effect of insulin and dexamethasone on the level of total RNA polymerase activity in nuclei isolated from cultured hepatocytes is in line with this assumption. The hormone stimulated uptake of orotic acid is dependent on protein synthesis since it is completely abolished by cycloheximide.     

Amino acid requirement for the growth-hormone stimulation of incorporation of precursors into protein and nucleic acids of liver slices

1. Incorporation of [(14)C]leucine into protein in rat liver slices, incubated in vitro, increased as the concentration of unlabelled amino acids in the incubation medium was raised. A plateau of incorporation was reached when the amino acid concentration was 6 times that present in rat plasma. Labelling of RNA by [(3)H]orotic acid was not stimulated by increased amino acid concentration in the incubation medium. 2. When amino acids were absent from the medium, or present at the normal plasma concentrations, no effect of added growth hormone on labelling of protein or RNA by precursor was observed. 3. When amino acids were present in the medium at 6 times the normal plasma concentrations addition of growth hormone stimulated incorporation of the appropriate labelled precursor into protein of liver slices from normal rats by 31%, and into RNA by 22%. A significant effect was seen at a hormone concentration as low as 10ng/ml. 4. Under the same conditions addition of growth hormone also stimulated protein labelling in liver slices from hypophysectomized rats. Tissue from hypophysectomized rats previously treated with growth hormone did not respond to growth hormone in vitro. 5. No effect of the hormone on the rate or extent of uptake of radioactive precursors into acid-soluble pools was found. 6. Cycloheximide completely abolished the hormone-induced increment in labelling of both RNA and protein. 7. It was concluded that, in the presence of an abundant amino acid supply, growth hormone can stimulate the synthesis of protein in rat liver slices by a mechanism that is more sensitive to cycloheximide than is the basal protein synthesis. The stimulation of RNA labelling observed in the presence of growth hormone may be a secondary consequence of the hormonal effect on protein synthesis. 8. The mechanism of action of growth hormone on liver protein synthesis in vitro was concluded to be similar to its mechanism of action in vivo.     

Incorporation of exogenous precursors into uridine and ribonucleic acid. Nucleotide compartmentation in the renal cortex in vivo

The possibility of compartmentation of UTP in vivo was investigated in the renal cortex of unanaesthetized rats. In addition, liver and spleen were studied in order to compare tissues with different utilization of precursors for pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. After continuous 2h infusions of [(3)H]uridine or [(3)H]orotate, their incorporation into UTP, UDP-sugars and RNA was quantified. Rates of RNA synthesis were calculated by dividing the incorporation of precursor into RNA by the average specific radioactivity of the UTP pool. Although similar RNA-synthesis rates might have been expected with the two precursors, higher rates were found with uridine than with orotate. The relative incorporation into UDP-sugars of these precursors was also different. Similar results were obtained in the liver. In the spleen, equal amounts of both precursors were incorporated into UTP, but [(3)H]orotate incorporation did not lead to labelling of RNA. To evaluate the heterogeneity of cells with respect to the metabolism of pyrimidines, precursor incorporation was studied in isolated glomeruli and by radioautography. Incorporation into glomeruli was qualitatively similar to but quantitatively different from results in the renal cortex. Although there is obvious tissue heterogeneity, compartmentation of UTP pools is the most credible explanation for the results obtained with the renal cortex and liver. Consequently RNA and UDP-sugars may originate from two different UTP pools. Tissue heterogeneity is the likely explanation for the results obtained in the spleen. Studies of synthesis of pyrimidine and RNA, particularly in relation to growth and regeneration, must take into consideration the precursor used, the apparent existence of UTP compartmentation and the degree of cellular heterogeneity.     

Uptake of orotate and thymidine by normal and regenerating rat livers

1. At 1h after operation livers from partially hepatectomized rats showed a 60-100% increase in the capacity to concentrate (3)H radioactivity from orotate, thymidine or uridine with respect to the radioactivity in plasma. Uptake of [(3)H]cytidine into liver was unaffected, as was entry of any precursor studied into any tissue other than liver. 2. This increase in intracellular radioactivity was detectable 10min after operation with both orotate and thymidine. With orotate the augmentation had disappeared by 3 days, but with thymidine it was still evident 8 days after partial hepatectomy, when [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was no longer increased. Competition studies established that orotate was not entering the liver by the same mechanism as thymidine. 3. In the soluble fraction of the liver all the (3)H radioactivity from orotate was present as uridine nucleotides. Thymidine was not phosphorylated, and was believed to be catabolized.     

Effect of ethionine on synthesis and methylation of ribosomal ribonucleic acid in regenerating rat liver

Ethionine, a hepatocarcinogen, was administered into rats 24 h before partial hepatectomy and immediately thereafter. Hepatic precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) obtained 20 h after the operation of rats injected with ethionine and adenine resulted in methyl deficiency as judged by the incorporation of [3H]methyl group of S-adenosylmethionine into nuclear rRNA by partially purified rRNA methylase. The ethionine and adenine treatment causes methyl deficiency of nuclear rRNA at 2'-hydroxyribose sites of cytidine and uridine, but not at base sites. Although the ethionine and adenine treatment produced no significant change in total hepatic RNA synthesis in vivo assayed by the incorporation of labeled orotate, a one-third increase in nuclear rRNA synthesis as well as a one-third decrease in microsomal rRNA synthesis was found under the treatment. These results suggest that the undermethylation at 2'-hydroxyribose of pre-rRNA in liver nucleus, which is caused by ethionine and adenine administration into rats, causes an inhibition of the processing of nuclear pre-rRNA to cytoplasmic rRNA.     

Alterations in DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I from rat liver accompanying ethionine administration

Multiple injections of ethionine plus adenine resulted in 3- to 4-fold increases in the activity of RNA polymerase I from rat liver nuclei, whereas the activity of RNA polymerase II was relatively unaffected. Methyl-deficient preribosomal RNA was present in the livers of rats after treatment for 2 days. Both incorporation of labelled orotate into rat liver ribosomal RNA and protein synthesis in polysomes gradually increased.     

Ribonucleic acid synthesis during the early action of thyroid hormones

1. The effect on RNA synthesis in rat liver of thyroidectomy and the administration of thyroid hormone, especially during its physiological latent period, was studied by determining: (a) the activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in isolated nuclei; (b) the rate of synthesis of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA in vivo; (c) polyribosomal sedimentation profiles; (d) the response of microsomes and ribonucleoprotein particles to polyuridylic acid; (e) the effect of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis on the biological activity of hormones. 2. The DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase activity of isolated rat-liver nuclei was lowered by thyroidectomy and stimulated by the administration of tri-iodo-l-thyronine or l-thyroxine (2-25mug./100g. body wt.) to both normal and thyroidectomized rats. In thyroidectomized rats, the activity of the Mg(2+)-activated RNA-polymerase reaction (for which the product is mainly ribosomal type of RNA) was stimulated at 10-12hr. after a single injection of tri-iodothyronine, reaching a peak value of 60-90% stimulation at 45hr. after hormone administration. The Mn(2+)/ammonium sulphate-activated RNA-polymerase reaction (for which the RNA product is more DNA-like) was not affected for 24hr. after hormone administration but stimulated by 30-40% at 45hr. The response of both RNA-polymerase reactions to the hormone in vivo paralleled the physiological response but the enzyme was not stimulated by the addition in vitro of the hormone to isolated nuclei. 3. Within 3-4hr. after tri-iodothyronine administration to thyroidectomized rats, the specific activity of rapidly labelled nuclear RNA, after a 10min. pulse of [6-(14)C]orotic acid, was 30-40% greater than the control values, the stimulation reaching 100 and 200% at 11 and 16hr. respectively after hormone administration. Longer exposures to [6-(14)C]orotic acid and [(32)P]phosphate showed that the hormone accelerated the synthesis of mitochondrial, microsomal (or ribosomal) and soluble RNA. The greater part of the labelled nuclear RNA was of the ribosomal type. The hormone-induced increases in the incorporation of radioactive precursors into RNA were not preceded, but followed, by enhanced uptake of the precursor. There was no change, per g. of liver, of DNA, nuclear RNA or soluble RNA, but there was a 40-60% increase in the amount of ribosomal RNA between 35 and 45hr. after a single injection of tri-iodothyronine to thyroidectomized rats. 4. Coinciding with the increase in ribosomal RNA after hormone administration was an increase in the average size and amount of polyribosomes. The newly formed ribonucleoprotein particles, or messenger RNA attached to them, or both, were more firmly bound to microsomal membranes after hormone treatment. 5. Polyuridylic acid caused a bigger stimulation of incorporation of [(14)C]phenyl-alanine by ribonucleoprotein particles, but not by microsomes, from thyroidectomized rats as compared with preparations from normal animals. The response of ribonucleoprotein particles to polyuridylic acid was lowered after tri-iodothyronine treatment of thyroidectomized rats. 6. Actinomycin D, 5-fluorouracil, puromycin and cycloheximide caused a 70-100% inhibition of the stimulatory effect of l-thyroxine and tri-iodo-l-thyronine on basal metabolic rate and growth rate in both normal and thyroidectomized animals. Administration of actinomycin D also abolished the stimulation of RNA polymerase by tri-iodothyronine. 7. It is concluded that regulation of nuclear and ribosomal RNA synthesis is an essential step leading to the biological action of thyroid hormones and that the formation of new ribosomes is an important aspect of the control of cytoplasmic protein synthesis by these hormones.     

Effect of a single dose of T3 on the uptake of (2-14C)-ethanolamine into chicken liver phospholipids

The effect of a single dose of 3,3',5-triidothyronine (T3) on the (2-14C)-ethanolamine uptake into liver phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) were determined in chicken over a period of 0.25 to 6 h after radioactive precursor injection. In all cases animals received the T3 dose intraperitoneally 5 h before the injection of the labeled compound. T3 enhances the incorporation of (2-14C)-ethanolamine into liver PE and LPE. The maximum uptake takes place at 0.25 h for LPE and 0.5 h for PE after the precursor administration. A great and significant hormone-dependent increase in the incorporation of labeled compound is observed in LPE. Lipid P associated to PE and LPE remains constant throughout the experiment, and does not vary with hormone treatment. It is suggested that T3-injection increases, either directly or through other metabolic processes, PE and LPE turnover in chicken liver cells.     

The control of nucleic acid and nicotinamide nucleotide synthesis in regenerating rat liver

1. The effect of injecting nicotinamide on the incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into the hepatic nucleic acids of rats after partial hepatectomy was investigated. 2. At 3h after partial hepatectomy the rapid incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into RNA, and at 20h after partial hepatectomy the incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into both RNA and DNA, were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by the previous injection of nicotinamide. 3. The injection of nicotinamide at various times before the injection of [(14)C]orotate at 20h after partial hepatectomy revealed an inhibition of the incorporation of orotate into RNA and DNA which was non-linear with respect to the duration of nicotinamide pretreatment. 4. The induction of a hepatic ATP depletion by ethionine demonstrated that the synthesis of hepatic NAD and NADP in partially hepatectomized rats was more susceptible to an ATP deficiency than in control rats. 5. The total hepatic activity of ribose phosphate pyrophosphokinase (EC 2.7.6.1) was assayed at various times after partial hepatectomy and found to be only marginally greater than the maximum rate of hepatic NAD synthesis induced in vivo by nicotinamide injection between 12 and 24h after partial hepatectomy. 6. It is suggested that a competition exists between NAD synthesis and purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis for available ATP and particularly 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. In regenerating liver the competition is normally in favour of the synthesis of nucleic acid precursors, at the expense of NAD synthesis. This situation may be reversed by the injection of nicotinamide with a subsequent inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis.     

Effect of hypophysectomy on liver nuclear ribonucleic acid synthesis in aging rats.

Changes in RNA synthesis in liver nuclei were observed at different ages and after hypophysectomy and hormone replacement in female Sprague-Dawley rats. As determined by the incorporation of [3H]UMP into an acid-insoluble product, RNA synthesis decreased by about 75% in intact rats from 6 months to 24 months of age. This decline with age was not observed in liver nuclei from 24-month-old rats that had been hypophysectomized at 12 months and maintained on a minimal hormone-replacement therapy. Thyroid hormones and somatotropin (growth hormone) had an additive effect on RNA synthesis in liver nuclei from these hypophysectomized rats. The same hormones had no significant effect on intact, age-matched rats. With advancing age, nuclei of intact rats had an increase in the pool of free RNA polymerase and an apparent decrease in the enzyme activity bound to nuclear chromatin. There was no change in total enzyme with age. In hypophysectomized, hormone-treated rats, free RNA polymerase activity decreased and chromatin-bound activity increased. There was no difference in total nuclear RNA polymerase activity between operated or intact rats. However, the ratio of the bound to the free activity was different. These results suggest that the ability of RNA polymerase to bind to chromatin may be involved in the age-related decrease in liver nuclear RNA synthesis of intact rats.     

Studies of nuclei separated by zonal centrifugation from liver of rats treated with thioacetamide

1. The effects of the inclusion of thioacetamide in the diet on the properties of rat liver nuclei were studied both in adolescent rats, in which the parenchymal cells contain diploid nuclei, and in young adult rats, with a high proportion of tetraploid nuclei. 2. These investigations included a survey of the sedimentation properties of the nuclei, the nuclear volumes, content of DNA, RNA and protein, the incorporation in vivo of [(3)H]thymidine into DNA and [(14)C]orotate into RNA, and measurements of the activity of RNA polymerase and ribonuclease. These studies were conducted on nuclei fractionated by zonal centrifugation. 3. In both groups of animals, exposure to thioacetamide produced large numbers of nuclei that were abnormal in their chemical composition and enzymic activity. The changes were complex as regards both the types of nuclei that were affected and in their variation with time. 4. In adolescent rats two waves of synthesis of DNA and RNA were observed, one at 3 days and the other after 2 weeks of treatment. The first decline in the incorporations into both DNA and RNA coincided with a decrease in the pool sizes of some of the precursors. The activity of RNA polymerase was not substantially altered. A marked increase in the content of protein was observed before the first wave of synthesis. The normal progressive increase in tetraploid nuclei was prevented. 5. In young adult rats two waves of DNA synthesis were detected. Each was preceded by a large increase in the amount of protein per nucleus but was not accompanied by increased RNA synthesis. After 4 weeks of treatment, the diploid stromal nuclei appeared mainly unaffected and large numbers of tetraploid nuclei with a greatly increased quantity of protein were observed.     

Changes in thyroid hormone levels in chicken liver during fasting and refeeding

In chickens, fasting results in increased plasma thyroxine (T(4)) levels and decreased plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) levels. Refeeding, in turn, restores normal plasma T(3) and T(4) levels. The liver is an important tissue for the regulation of circulating thyroid hormone levels. Previous studies demonstrated that the increase in hepatic type III deiodinase in fasted chickens plays a role in the decrease of plasma T(3). Another factor that could be important is the level of T(4) and T(3) uptake by the liver. In mammals, caloric restriction is known to diminish transport of T(4) and T(3) into tissues. The present study examines whether this is also the case in chicken. Four-week-old chickens were subjected to a 24-h starvation period followed by refeeding. Blood and liver samples were collected at the start of refeeding and at different times of refeeding. Thyroid hormone levels were measured directly in plasma and in tissues following extraction. The results demonstrate that intrahepatic T(4) levels are increased and T(3) levels are decreased in fasted compared to ad libitum fed chickens. The parallel changes in plasma and hepatic T(3) and T(4) content demonstrate that T(4) availability in liver tissue is not diminished during fasting, suggesting that in chicken thyroid hormone uptake by the liver is not affected by nutritional status.