Transcriptional and translational activity in relation to oxygen consumption in isolated liver cells from...

Transcription and translation activity in relation to oxygen consumption have been measured in isolated liver cells from freely fed tumor-bearing mice and compared with that of freely fed controls. The liver cells were isolated by perfusion of livers in situ with a collagenase containing buffer. Adult nongrowing mice with a methylcholanthrene induced sarcoma were used. Liver cells under the remote effect of the malignant tumor had increased transcription and translation of hepatic proteins in spite of decreased cellular oxygen consumption. The mechanisms behind increased hepatic protein synthesis concomitant with decreased energy production in the tumor-influenced liver are unknown, but we suggest that the hepatic translation of some genetic information may be of importance for the host survival in the tumor-bearing condition.