Effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on ATP citrate lyase in isolated hepatocytes

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) activates ATP citrate lyase in freshly isolated rat liver hepatocytes in a time dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of the enzyme occurred with less than thirty minutes of incubation of the cells with TGF-beta. The half-maximal effect on the enzyme determined in hepatocytes incubated with TGF-beta for 10 min at 37 degrees C was elicited by TGF-beta concentrations in the 10-11 - 10-12 M range. The potential role of TGF-beta stimulation of ATP citrate lyase activity in new membrane synthesis is discussed.