title: The subcellular location, maturation and response to increased plasma glucagon of ruthenium red-insensitive calcium-ion transport in rat liver.
abstract: 1. The subcellular distribution and maturation of Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport activity were determined in livers of rats ranging in age from 3 days pre-term to 10 weeks of adult life and compared with those of glucose 6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and Ruthenium Red-sensitive Ca(2+) transport. Initial rates of Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport were highest in those fractions enriched in glucose 6-phosphatase, i.e. the microsomal fraction; this fraction was devoid of Ruthenium Red-sensitive Ca(2+) transport activity. Although the heaviest fraction (nuclear) contained significant amounts of 5'-nucleotidase activity it was devoid of Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport activity. 2. Foetal rat liver contain minimal amounts of Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport activity, glucose 6-phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activities. These begin to be expressed concomitantly soon after birth; Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport is maximal by 3 to 4 days and remains so for up to at least 10 weeks of adult life. Glucose 6-phosphatase also reaches a peak at 3-4 days, but then rapidly decreases to approach adult values. Maximal activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the microsomal and nuclear fractions is seen about 4-6 days after birth; this enzyme activity remains increased for up to about 10 days and then falls, but not as rapidly as glucose 6-phosphatase. It is tentatively suggested that the bulk of the Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport is attributable to the system derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. 3. Administration of glucagon to adult rats enhances by 2-3-fold the initial rate of Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport in the intermediate but not the microsomal fraction. The hormone-induced effect is fully suppressed by co-administration of puromycin, is dose-dependent with half-maximal response at approx. 1mug of glucagon/100g body wt. and time-dependent exhibiting a half-maximal response about 1h after administration of the hormone. 4. Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport in the post-mitochondrial fraction of foetal liver also responds to the administration in situ of glucagon. The response, which also is prevented by co-administration of puromycin, is maximal in those foetuses nearing term. The suggestion is made that these effects of the hormone on Ruthenium Red-insensitive Ca(2+) transport are an integral part of the physiological network in the liver cell.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005934:Glucagon / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011691:Puromycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012430:Ruthenium Red / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012430:Ruthenium Red; D011691:Puromycin; D012428:Ruthenium; D005934:Glucagon; D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium