[The rate of gluconeogenesis and the activity of its key enzymes in the kidneys of the developing chick embryo].

The rate of glucose formation from lactate was studied in tubules isolated from the kidneys of chick embryos of different age and for one- and two-day-old chickens. Changes in the activity of the key enzymes of gluconeogenesis have also been followed in the chick embryo kidneys. The rate of gluconeogenesis markedly increased after hatching. Changes in the rate of gluconeogenesis during embryogenesis are correlated with those in the activity of key enzymes of this process: phospho(enol) pyruvate carboxykinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphatase. Glucose-6-phosphatase was shown to be polyfunctional in the kidneys of chick embryos and chickens: in addition to hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate with formation of glucose, the enzyme is capable of phosphorylating glucose with the help of phosphate donors, carbamyl-phosphate and pyrophosphate.