Pyruvate carboxylase in lactating rat and rabbit mammary gland

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Abstract
1. Pyruvate carboxylase [pyruvate–carbon dioxide ligase (ADP), EC 6.4.1.1] was found in cell-free preparations of lactating rat and rabbit mammary glands, and optimum assay conditions for this enzyme were determined. 2. Subcellular-fractionation studies with marker enzymes showed pyruvate carboxylase to be distributed between the mitochondrial and soluble fractions of lactating rat mammary gland. Evidence is presented that the soluble enzyme is not an artifact due to mitochondrial damage. 3. In contrast, pyruvate carboxylase in lactating rabbit mammary gland is confined to the mitochondrial fraction. 4. The final product of pyruvate carboxylase action in the mitochondrial and particle-free supernatant fractions of lactating rat mammary gland was shown to be citrate. 5. The effects of freeze-drying, ultrasonic treatment and freezing-and-thawing on the specific activity of mitochondrial pyruvate carboxylase were investigated.