Subcellular distribution of alpha-chaconine in mouse hepatocytes.

alpha-Chaconine is a toxic steroidal alkaloid present as a glycoside in potatoes. alpha-Chaconine was previously reported to bind with cell homogenates of various tissues. The extent of binding of 3H-alpha-chaconine in various macromolecular and subcellular fractions of liver after oral administration in female Swiss-Webster mice was investigated. No binding of this alkaloid was noted with isolated DNA or RNA fractions. The proportion of bound activity increased as the time between dosing and sampling increased, although the total alkaloid present in the organelles decreased. The extent of binding did not change when the doses ranged between 1 and 10 mg/kg. Induction of liver microsomal enzymes by treatment with dibenzo[a]pyrene increased the percent binding in all fractions except the proteins in the post-microsomal supernatant. Similar treatment with Aroclor 1254 and phenobarbital failed to produce increased binding in any of the fractions.