Metabolism of serine, glycine and threonine in isolated cat hepatocytes Felis domestica.

1. Hepatocytes isolated from the cat demonstrate differences with regard to amino acid metabolism as compared to rat hepatocytes. 2. [14C]serine is metabolized via transamination in isolated cat hepatocyte, whereas its major catabolic route in the rat is via serine dehydratase. 3. [14C]glycerine, a poor gluconeogenic precursor in rat hepatocytes, appears to be equal to serine as a precursor for cat hepatocytes. 4. [14C]threonine does not compete with serine for metabolism, and may be metabolized via threonine aldolase. 5. These results illustrate a protection of amino acids from oxidative metabolism, and a high priority for their metabolism towards anabolic processes.