Messenger RNA levels of plasma proteins in rat liver during protein depletion and refeeding.
The levels of mRNA for albumin, transferrin, transthyretin, the beta-chain of fibrinogen and apolipoprotein E in livers from rats during protein depletion and refeeding were measured by hybridization to specific cDNA probes. A period of protein depletion of 3 d resulted in a 30-40% decrease in mRNA levels for all five proteins. These levels were further decreased by only 15-20% after additional protein depletion for 6 d. There was no noticeable change in mRNA levels within 4 h of refeeding by gavage with a casein hydrolysate suspension supplemented with L-tryptophan and L-arginine. Upon refeeding a 30% protein diet, mRNA levels returned to normal after 3 d. The work presented here suggests that changes observed in the protein synthetic rate following protein depletion and repletion are due to changes in mRNA levels altered as a consequence of the availability of dietary protein.
de Jong
F A
FA
Biotechnology Australia, Roseville, New South Wales.
Schreiber
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA; D005502:Food; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011915:Rats, Inbred BUF
D001798:Blood Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA