detection of hepatic glucose phosphorylation enzymes in two strains of mice and their relation to thioacetamide effect on the liver

ABSTRACT

Hexokinase isoenzymes in the liver of two inbred strains of mice [C3H/He and C58] have been determined initially. Four isoenzymes catalyzing phosphorylation of glucose and designated GK, HKI, HKII and HKIII, were resolved by high performance liquid chromatography on DEAE-cellulose columns of liver extracts from C3H/He and C58 mice. The enzymes were identified by their activity and in a series of immunological tests including immunoelectrophoresis and immunoprecipitation. In untreated mice, the glucokinase [GK] activity was predominant and the three hexokinases [HKI, HKII and HKIII] detected were characterized by low activities. However, intraperitoneal injection of thiocetamide resulted in a significant decrease in the glucokinase activity and in an increase in hexokinases activity, especially that of hexokinases II and III. While confirming the presence of hexokinase III in mice livers, the present work also provides for a significant improvement in the detection of hexokinase III in mice and presents an interesting observation on the effect of thiocetamide on the liver