NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM IN DIVIDING LIVER 15 are not so marked as those occurring in young and foetal liver. This is to be expected by analogy with thymine catabolism. The effect of X-radiation on thymine catabolism in regenerating liver shows that, under conditions in which the formation of thymidine kinase is delayed, a delay in the depression of thymine catabolism also occurs. It is possible that the depression in thymine catabolism may be influenced by the appearance of thymidine kinase which occurs at about 18 hr. after partial hepatectomy (Bollum & Potter, 1959). When the formation of thymidine kinase is inhibited by X-radiation, the depression in thymine catabolism is delayed. SUMMARY 1. The activities of enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism in foetal, young and regenerating rat liver were compared with those in normal rat liver. 2. Thymidine phosphorylase and uridine phosphorylase were less active in foetal and young liver than in adult liver. Thymidine-phosphorylase activity was also reduced in regenerating liver. 3. Thymidine was incorporated into DNA in vitro more rapidly in the liver of foetal and young rats than in adult rats. 4. Dihydro-orotase activity was maximal in the liver at birth when it was twice as active as in the adult. 5. Total-body X-radiation (400 r.), when given to rats 6 hr. after partial hepatectomy, delayed the decrease in thymine catabolism.
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