Induction of ornithine decarboxylase in colon and liver by starvation and refeeding: A comparison of effects on total and holoenzyme

In rats, short-term starvation and subsequent refecding induced both holo- and total ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) levels in colon 5-fold over ad lib fed controls. Starvation alone led to a significant decrease in total ornithine decarboxylase level in colon, while no change was seen in the holoenzyme level. There are only two reported short-term chemical inducers of colon ornithine decarboxylase, and this is the first demonstration of dietary induction in this tissue. Liver total ornithine decarboxylase was also induced by starvation-refeeding, but no holoenzyme effects were seen in any treatment.