Abstract
Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) has been quantified in rat liver and kidney cortex under experimental conditions that modify the gluconeogenic response in both organs: fasting, carbon tetrachloride-induced liver degeneration and alloxan-induced diabetes. Enzymatic activity has been assayed by a 14 CO 2 -fixation method. The amount of enzyme has been determined by competitive ELISA using antibodies raised against the purified rat kidney cortex enzyme. Purified fractions of rat-liver and rat-kidney cortex PC have been used as standards. Fasting and carbon tetrachloride administration induced a significant increase (25% to 30%) in the amount of enzyme in liver and kidney cortex. Alloxan-induced diabetes produced a nearly two-fold increase in the hepatic levels of enzyme without a significant modification in the content of the renal enzyme. These results are discussed on the basis of the different metabolic implications of both organs during the physiological or toxic treatments.