We have used the technique of short-term infusion with digitonin to obtain hepatocytes originating either from the periportal or the perivenous zone of the liver acinus [(1985) Biochem. J. 229, 221–226]. Total glycogen phosphorylase content and sensitivity to cyclic AMP-dependent and calcium-mediated glycogenolytic agonists were very similar for both cell sub-populations and did not differ from the values obtained for control cells. We conclude therefore that there is an apparent absence of metabolic zonation as far as receptor-mediated glycogenolysis and glycogenolytic potency is concerned.
