Effects of beryllium on deoxyribonucleic acid-synthesizing enzymes in regenerating rat liver

1. The incorporation of thymidine into DNA of regenerating rat liver was measured at various times after partial hepatectomy. A single intravenous injection of 30mumol of beryllium/kg given immediately after the operation inhibited DNA synthesis 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28h later. 2. The activity of several enzymes critical to DNA synthesis (thymidine kinase, thymidylate kinase, thymidylate synthetase, deoxycytidylate deaminase and DNA polymerase) increased in control rats 20-24h after partial hepatectomy severalfold over the activity found in resting livers. After beryllium treatment this rise in activity was much less and it seemed as if beryllium would partially block the induction of DNA-synthesizing enzymes after partial hepatectomy. 3. Enzymes whose activities do not rise during liver regeneration were not affected by beryllium (aspartate transcarbamoylase, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, uridine kinase and glucose 6-phosphatase). 4. No evidence was found in vitro that beryllium would specifically inhibit thymidine kinase or DNA polymerase. 5. The time-effect relationship between beryllium administration and thymidine kinase activity in vivo was examined. Measured 24h after partial hepatectomy, thymidine kinase activity was only affected if beryllium was given within the first 9-12h after partial hepatectomy. Beryllium given later, even in greatly increased doses, failed to have any effect on thymidine kinase. The possibility is discussed that beryllium inhibits enzyme induction at the transcriptional level.