Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase by a high-protein diet

Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) was observed in rat liver on administration of a high-protein diet. The enzyme activity in the liver of rats given 60% and 80% protein diet increased to 1.8- and 1.9-fold that in the liver of rats maintained on 20% protein diet, with about 2-fold increases in the levels of functional sGOT mRNA, measured by in vitro translation. Whereas the activity of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase did not increase. Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase was also detected immunocytochemically.