Influence of aging on the carcinogen-induced protein kinase activity in rat liver cell nuclei

Tohoku J Exp Med. 2002 Mar;196(3):131-8. doi: 10.1620/tjem.196.131.

Abstract

A carcinogen-induced increase in a protein kinase activity was found in cell nuclei of rat liver. The enzyme was extracted from isolated nuclei with a hypotonic buffer, retained to an anion-exchange column, eluted with 0.15 M NaCl containing solution and to be measured for the activity with casein as the substrate, showing a nature of a casein kinase. The change in the activity during the course of aging was studied with 5-, 10-, and 50-week old Wistar male rats. The activity was highest in 5-week-old rat but decreased in 10- and 50-week-old animal. A hepatocarcinogen, thioacetamide, induced an increase in activity in 10-week old rats but rather decreased in 5- and 50-week-old rats. Aging suppresses the activity of this unique enzyme. Thioacetamide abolishes this suppression resulting in an increase in the activity of the enzyme at a certain stage of aging.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Carcinogens / pharmacology
  • Caseins / metabolism
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / enzymology*
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Thioacetamide / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Caseins
  • Thioacetamide
  • Protein Kinases