Aging process is accompanied by increase of transglutaminase C

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1999 Feb;54(2):B78-83. doi: 10.1093/gerona/54.2.b78.

Abstract

Crosslinking has been suggested as one of the mechanisms involved in the aging process. Among the various random or enzyme-mediated crosslinking reactions, transglutaminase (TGase)-catalyzed crosslinking activity has been proposed for its possible involvement in cell proliferation, differentiation, carcinogenesis, programmed death, and aging. Moreover, recent findings of TGase C as a putative signal transducer and cell cycle regulator has renewed interest in the study of TGase C in relation to aging phenomena. The ubiquitous presence of TGase C compared to the organ-specific localization of other types of TGases has attracted special attention as a cellular aging device. In the present investigation for in vitro studies, we have compared the pattern of TGase C in young and old human red blood cells, separated by density differentiation, and in early and late-passage or hydrogen peroxide-treated human primary fibroblasts. For in vivo study, we monitored the age-dependent changes of TGase C in the liver and brain tissues of 4, 12, 18, and 24-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. We obtained evidence that both the activity and protein levels of TGase C were high in old RBC and late-passage or hydrogen peroxide-treated fibroblasts. Similar findings were seen in liver and brain tissue such as age-dependent increases in TGase activity and protein level in an organ-specific pattern. These data suggest that TGase C might play an active role in the cellular process with age.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology
  • Child
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / metabolism
  • Erythrocyte Aging / physiology
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Oxidants / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Transglutaminases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Oxidants
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Transglutaminases