Effects of Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatotoxicity on the Activities of Protein Methylases and SAM-Synthetase in Rat Liver

단백질 메틸화효소류 및 S-아데노실-L-메치오닌 연결효소의 활성도에 미치는 사염화탄소-유발 간독성의 영향

In order to test relationships between hepatotoxicity and transmethylation, activities of protein methylases and SAM (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)-synthetase were examined in liver tissues of rats treated with $CCl_4$. Also the concentrations of SAM and SAH were measured by HPLC in rat liver. The results are as follows. (1). Activities of protein methylases were not significantly changed in 24 hours after $CCl_4$ treatment. However, in 48 hours, activities of protein methylases were significantly increased in comparison with that of control. (2). Activity of SAM-synthetase was increased steadily in the time course after $CCl_4$ treatment. (3). S-adenosyl-L-methionine concentration of liver tissues in $CCl_4$-treated group was elevated in 24 hours, and then declined thereafter. But the SAH concentration was slightly decreased in the time course after $CCl_4$ treatment. These results indicate that SAM was very actively used in transmethylation reactions of $CCl_4$ damaged rat liver, suggesting the strong relationships between hepatotoxicity and transmethylation phenomena.