Effects of Triiodothyronine and Glucose on Cultured Rat Hepatocyte Gene Expression

Both thyroid hormone and carbohydrate feeding are known to influence hepatic gene expression in vivo. In order to determine whether these compounds act directly on the liver, we have utilized an isolated adult rat hepatocyte culture to examine the in vitro influence of either T3 or glucose on a wide range of mRNA activities. RNA was extracted from hepatocyte cultures, translated in the rabbit reticulocyte system, and the translated products separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We have found a strong similarity between the hepatic mRNA response to T3 administered either to the animal or added to the culture medium and between the response to high carbohydrate feeding and an increase in the medium glucose concentration. Our studies suggest that the isolated hepatocyte culture is a useful model for the study of the influence of hormones and metabolites on the expression of specific mRNA's.