Sexually dimorphic activation of liver and brain phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase by dietary choline deficiency.

Abstract

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) activity was measured by a radioenzymatic assay in homogenates of brain and liver obtained from Sprague Dawley rats fed a choline-free or control (0.3 g/kg of choline chloride) diet for seven days. Choline deficiency increased PEMT activity in the liver of male rats by 34% but had no effect on hepatic PEMT in females. In contrast, brain PEMT activity was increased in brain of choline deficient females (by 49%) but was unaltered in males. Activation of the PE methylation pathway in female brain may constitute a compensatory mechanism to sustain PC synthesis during choline deficiency.

• Authors: P I Johnson, J K Blusztajn
• Journal: Neurochemical research (Neurochem Res) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 583-7 (May 1998) ISSN: 0364-3190 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9566595 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Methyltransferases
• Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase
• Choline

Topics

• Analysis of Variance
• Animals
• Brain (enzymology)
• Choline (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Choline Deficiency (enzymology)
• Enzyme Activation
• Female
• Liver (enzymology)
• Male
• Methyltransferases (metabolism)
• Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Sex Characteristics