METABOLISM OF EXOGENOUS N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE IN EXTRACTS OF RAT-KIDNEY, LIVER AND HEPATOMA

1. 1. The metabolism of exogenous N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in rat kidney extracts was greatly stimulated by fructose 1,6-diphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2) and to a lesser extent by phosphoenolpyruvate. They served as a generator of ATP. Under these conditions, the majority of metabolized GlcNAc was recovered in the form of glycolytic intermediate. 2. 2. The metabolism of exogenous GlcNAc in rat liver extracts was stimulated by phosphoenolpyruvate but not by Fru-1,6-P2. With phosphoenolpyruvate present, most of the metabolized GlcNAc was recovered as sialic acid. 3. 3. The metabolism of exogenous GlcNAc in rat hepatoma (AH-130) extracts was stimulated by Fru-1,6-P2 and to a lesser extent by phosphoenolpyruvate. Even with phosphoenol present, the synthesis of sialic acid was extremely small. In these respects, hepatoma extracts resemble kidney extracts rather than those of liver. © 1979.