Postnatal changes in the localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity within the liver lobule of the mouse

The change in the localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity within the liver lobule of the mouse was studied during development. From one day before birth to three days after birth, a uniform localization of the activity was observed throughout the lobule. This uniform localization of the activity gradually changed to that of the adult type, characterized by a relatively higher activity in periportal areas, between three to ten days of age. This indicates that the postnatal growth of the liver is accompanied by a change in the pattern of the localization of this enzyme activity within the liver lobule. Further, the biochemical results showed that the elevated activity after birth was reduced to the level seen in adult at ten days of age. Thus, the reduction in the level of the enzyme activity during ten days after birth corresponds to a redistribution of the enzyme activity within the liver lobule.