Activation of glycolysis by zinc is diminished in hepatocytes from metallothionein-null mice

Abstract  The influence of hepatic metallothionein (MT) and zinc (Zn) on glycolysis was investigated in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes prepared from MT-normal (+/+) and MT-null (−/−) mice. In MT +/+ mice, a close relationship was observed between the Zn concentration in the incubation medium (10–150 μM), increased MT levels in the cells, and increased glycolysis (accumulation of lactate + pyruvate) over 24 h, with significant effects seen at physiological levels of Zn (10–25 μM). Hepatocytes from MT −/− mice had significantly lower basal rates of glycolysis and demonstrated increased glycolysis only at Zn concentrations of 50 μM or greater. The lactate: pyruvate ratio was higher in the MT +/+ hepatocytes. The oxidation of endogenous fatty acid (accumulation of the ketone bodies, 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) was initially greater in the MT +/+ hepatocytes, although only MT −/− hepatocytes showed increased ketone body production in response to Zn. The 3-hydroxybutyrate: acetoacetate ratio was higher in the MT +/+ hepatocytes and increased with increasing Zn concentrations. Intracellular Zn accumulation was 60% greater in the MT +/+ hepatocytes, with approximately 80% of the extra Zn associated with MT. The results implicate MT-associated Zn rather than increased intracellular Zn per se in the regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.