Modulation of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in rat liver plasma membranes by thyroid hormone

1. In adult male and female rats, liver plasma membrane gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were 16-fold higher in the propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroid state than in the control euthyroid state; thyroxine (T4)-replacement resulted in an 80% restoration to control levels. 2. Liver plasma membrane gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were 6.7-fold higher in PTU-induced congenitally hypothyroid rats than in control euthyroid rats; T4-replacement reduced enzyme activities to 37% of control levels. 3. In adult rats, in response to the development and recovery from tri-iodothyronine (T3) excess, liver plasma membrane gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were inversely related to, and out of phase by 12 hr, to the earlier changes in T3. 4. Liver gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is a thyroid hormone-dependent enzyme.