Distribution and activity of transglutaminase in rat brain carcinogenesis and in gliomas

Tissue transglutaminase is a calcium-dependent enzyme which may influence c ell morphology, cytoskeletal processes and membrane functions. During rat b rain carcinogenesis induced by transplacental administration of N-ethyl-N-n itrosourea to ED IX rats, cytosolic tissue transglutaminase activity was in creased by about 140% at 30 days of extrauterine Life and returned towards the control values at 3-5 months. In the particulate fraction, enzyme activ ity progressively increased, reaching values similar to those present in th e developed gliomas, Tissue transglutaminase activity in gliomas had a beha vior inverse to that observed in controls, with a decrease (about 50%) in t he cytosol and a marked increase (380%) in the particulate fraction, indica ting a redistribution of enzyme activity. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.