A new mechanism of regulation of rat liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity.

A factor has been found in rat liver supernatant solution which inhibits acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity regardless of the presence or absence of Mg2+ and ATP. Inactivation of the enzyme has been demonstrated via radiochemical and spectrophotometric assay procedures. The inactivation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase is not attributable to either malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity, to phosphorylation of the enzyme, or to action on substrates or cofactors of the reaction. The activity of the inhibitor is destroyed by heating to 70-80 degrees C for 5 min or by treatment with trypsin. Dialyzing the inhibitor for 24 h at 4 degrees C does not alter its activity in inhibiting acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Hence, it appears that the inhibitor is a regulatory protein that acts directly on acetyl-CoA carboxylase.