The molecular mechanism(s) underlying induction of the hepatic microsomal cytochrome P4502E1 (2E1) by xenobiotics (e.g. ethanol and acetone) is controversial. Proposed mechanisms include increased rates of enzyme synthesis due to elevated 2E1 mRNA levels, enhanced translation of pre-existing mRNA, or stabilization of 2E1 protein. To further assess which, if any, of these events predominates during the initial stages of 2E1 protein induction, we investigated the effects of acetone treatment on 2E1 content in cultured rabbit hepatocytes, an in vitro system that allows for precise control of the cellular mileau. Hepatocytes harvested from female rabbits and plated on plastic dishes with serum-supplemented medium were 90-100% viable for at least 48 hr in culture. Analysis of immunoreactive 2E1 content and aniline hydroxylase activity in microsomes isolated from hepatocytes cultured for up to 24 hr revealed that 2E1 expression was equal to that of microsomes from unplated cells and by 48 hr of culture, 2E1 levels decreased by only 35%. Moreover, microsomes isolated from cells exposed to 17 mM acetone for 24 hr exhibited a 53 and 62% increase in aniline hydroxylase activity and 2E1 content, respectively, compared to untreated cells. To explain these increases, the rate of 2E1 protein synthesis was determined in untreated cells or in cells treated with 17 mM acetone by first exposing hepatocytes to medium supplemented with 35S-labeled methionine and cysteine ([35S]Met/Cys) and subsequently assessing radiolabel incorporation into 2E1 protein. While no difference was found between untreated and acetone-treated cells in the incorporation of [35S]Met/Cys into trichloracetic acid-precipitable microsomal proteins, immunoaffinity purification of 2E1 revealed that incorporation of 35S-labeled amino acids specifically into 2E1 was elevated by acetone to 200% of control values. Treatment of hepatocytes with the transcriptional inhibitor, alpha-amanitin, markedly inhibited this acetone-mediated increase in [35S]Met/Cys incorporation into 2E1. Analysis of hepatocyte RNA revealed that acetone increased 2E1 mRNA to 130 and 160% of control levels at 6 and 24 hr, respectively, and that these increases were prevented by pretreatment with alpha-amanitin. Our results indicate that acetone increases 2E1 protein levels in cultured rabbit hepatocytes by stimulating its rate of de novo synthesis. Since this increase in 2E1 synthesis stems, at least in part, from the acetone-mediated enhancement of hepatocyte 2E1 mRNA content and is inhibitable by alpha-amanitin, transcriptional activation of the rabbit CYP2E1 gene is apparently involved in the induction of 2E1 protein by acetone.