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Developmental changes in hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content and phosphofructokinase-1 activity in the
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Manchester, U.K.
Insights
Newly hatched chicks show increased hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and phosphofructokinase-1 activity, linked to diet. Food availability post-hatching is crucial for these metabolic and developmental changes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Avian Physiology
Background:
- Neonatal chicks undergo significant metabolic shifts post-hatching.
- Hepatic enzyme activity is critical for nutrient metabolism during development.
- Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP) is a key regulator of glycolysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP) content and phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) activity in chicks after hatching.
- To determine the role of diet and feeding in regulating these metabolic parameters during the neonatal period.
- To explore the relationship between these changes and lipogenic enzyme activity and insulin signaling.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hepatic F2,6BP content.
- Assay of hepatic PFK-1 activity.
- Dietary manipulation studies in newly hatched chicks.
Main Results:
- Hepatic F2,6BP content and PFK-1 activity increased in parallel within 2 days of hatching.
- Starvation post-hatching prevented these increases, indicating a dietary influence.
- These changes correlate with alterations in hepatic lipogenic enzymes.
Conclusions:
- Dietary intake, specifically a carbohydrate-rich diet, is essential for the rapid postnatal induction of hepatic F2,6BP and PFK-1 in chicks.
- Insulin likely plays a role in coordinating these developmental metabolic adjustments.
- These findings highlight the critical interplay between nutrition and metabolic enzyme regulation during avian neonatal development.
Abstract:
Within 2 days of hatching in chicks, there are parallel increases in hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content and phosphofructokinase-1 activity. The changes observed are a consequence of feeding on the carbohydrate-rich diet of neonatal life: lack of access to food after hatching prevents changes for either parameter. The results are discussed in relation to changes in the activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes during the embryonic/neonatal transition of chicks and the role of insulin in co-ordination of developmental processes.