Effect of undernutrition on tryptophan and tyrosine hydroxylases in the developing rat brain.
Rats born to well-fed mothers (20% protein diet ad libitum), protein-restricted mothers (7.5% protein diet ad libitum) or pair-fed with protein-restricted mothers were killed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 and activities of the two enzymes of neurotransmitter synthesis, tryptophan-5-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.4) and tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.2) were assayed. Enzyme activities in normal animals were low at birth and progressively increased to reach adult levels by day 15. Protein-restricted and pair-fed animals also showed a similar pattern. However, significantly higher activities were observed from day 15 onwards in both experimental groups.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*
D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase