Avian fatty acid synthetase: Evidence for short-term regulation of activity

Liver biopsies were performed on starved chicks at 0 and 4 h after refeeding a fat-free diet. Fatty acid synthetase activity increased after refeeding, and administration of cycloheximide did not prevent the rise of enzyme activity. Incorporation of [carboxyl-¹⁴C]leucine into fatty acid synthetase was measured in enzyme purified from the livers of starved chicks, starved-refed (4 h) chicks, and starved-refed chicks injected with cycloheximide. The data suggest that the synthesis of enzyme protein was inhibited in starved and cycloheximide-treated refed chicks in comparison with refed chicks. Liver cytosol from fed or starved chicks was filtered through centrifuge ultrafiltration membranes and the residues were suspended in the same or opposite filtrates. Fatty acid synthetase activity in residues from starved chicks was stimulated when suspended in filtrates from fed chicks. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that a portion of the fatty acid synthetase in the liver of starved chicks is present as an inactive form which can be activated upon refeeding.