Labeled Bilirubin Production by a Clonal Strain of Rat Hepatoma Cells 1

Abstract

Conclusions

A clonal strain (MH₁C₁) of rat hepatoma cells synthesized labeled bilirubin with either glycine-2-¹⁴C or δ-ami-nolevulinic acid-3,5-³H as precursor. In contrast to the findings in living rats, labeled bilirubin production is only slightly enhanced in MH₁C₁ cells that have been preincubated with phenobarbital. These studies indicate that hepatic parenchymal cells are capable of producing at least part of the nonerythroid fraction of bile pigment. Moreover, they provide a unique experimental model for the further study of hepatic heme and bilirubin metabolism.