Brightsurf Science News and Current Science News Events
 

View Larger Image

Liver biotransforming enzymes in woodrats Neotoma stephensi (Muridae) [An article from: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C]


by J.G. Lamb, P. Marick, J. Sorensen, S. Haley, Deari

List Price: $8.95
Available: Available for download now
Studio: Elsevier
Binding: Digital
Publication Date: June 01, 2004
Publisher: Elsevier


FORMATS

  • HTML


EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Mammalian herbivores are exposed to extremely high levels of plant secondary compounds naturally present in their diet. It has been speculated that specialist herbivores should express a unique pattern of biotransforming enzymes to permit the consumption of a single species of toxic plant. Specifically, specialists should rely on pathways that effectively biotransform the toxins they routinely encounter in their diet. We examined the hepatic mRNA expression and activity or content of biotransforming enzymes in the specialist herbivorous woodrat, Neotoma stephensi, and compared results to those of laboratory rats (Sprague-Dawley strain Rattus norvegicus). In addition, we investigated the role of @a-pinene, a specific plant toxin present in the diet of N. stephensi on the mRNA expression pattern and activity or content of biotransforming enzymes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Overall, the levels of functionalization enzyme activity and mRNA were found to be higher in specialists, while glucuronidation enzyme activity and mRNA were lower. These results support predictions that specialist herbivores rely more on functionalization biotransformation pathways rather than glucuronidation pathways.
© 2008 BrightSurf.com