Effect of riboflavine deficiency on incorporation in vivo of [14C]amino acid into liver proteins of rats

Abstract

1. The effect of riboflavine deficiency on in vivo incorporation of [2–14C]glycine into proteins of liver homogenates and its subcellular fractions has been studied on rats maintained on a 16 % protein diet.2. Riboflavine deficiency did not seem to affect the in vivo incorporation of [2–14C]g1ycine into proteins of liver homogenates. But riboflavine deficiency caused increased and reduced invivo incorporation of [14C]amino acid into mitochondrial and microsomal proteins, respectively.There was no significant change in the in vivo incorporation of [14C]amino acid into proteins ofnuclear, ribosomal and soluble fractions in riboflavine deficiency.3. Riboflavine deficiency caused enhanced and reduced proportions of liver mitochondrial and microsomal proteins, respectively.4. The results are discussed as suggestive of enhanced and reduced protein synthesis in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, respectively, of riboflavine-deficient rats.