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

Neurochem Res. 1998 May;23(5):583-7. doi: 10.1023/a:1022470301550.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Methyltransferases
  • Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase
  • Choline