Effects of Glucose on Glycogen Synthetase, Phosphorylase, and Glycogen Deposition in the Perfused Rat Liver

An increase in the perfusate glucose concentration from near zero to about 11 mM increased glycogen synthesis in the perfused, isolated rat liver from zero to a value about half the maximum seen in the intact animal. Increased synthesis appeard to due not only to provision of substrate but also to conversion of glycogen synthetase to the active form and of glycogen phosphorylase to the inactive form. These glucose effects, which are apparently independent of changes in levels of hormones or adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate, may be physiologically significant for control of the blood glucose level.