Functional relationship of ammonia with RNA, DNA, and protein in rat muscle.

The acid proteinases, neutral proteinases, protein, RNA, and DNA were estimated along with the ammonia content in muscle in rats subjected to experimental hyperammonemic states (acute and chronic) by the administration of ammonium acetate intraperitoneally. It was observed that there was a decrease in the activities of acid proteinases and neutral proteinases in muscle in acute as well as in chronic hyperammonemic states. A rise in protein content was observed in muscle under these conditions. No changes were seen in the DNA content while RNA showed a slight increase in muscle. These results were discussed with reference to the possible role of ammonia in lysosomal protein degradation as well as to its probable effect on protein synthesis through its action on transcription.