Cell proliferation and ku protein expression in ageing humans

Previous studies on DNA repair in ageing have demonstrated increased frequencies of single and double strand breaks in lymphocytes from elderly subjects and, as a consequence, decreased efficiency in DNA replication. We have investigated the relationship between cell proliferation and the nuclear ex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mechanisms of ageing and development 1998-01, Vol.100 (2), p.197-208
Main Authors: Frasca, Daniela, Barattini, Paola, Goso, Cristina, Pucci, Sabina, Rizzo, Giovanni, Bartoloni, Carlo, Costanzo, Mario, Errani, Andrea, Guidi, Luisa, Antico, Leonardo, Tricerri, Augusto, Doria, Gino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Ageing
Aging - metabolism
Aging - physiology
Antigens, Nuclear
Biological and medical sciences
Cell cycle, cell proliferation
Cell Division
Cell Extracts
Cell Nucleus - metabolism
Cell physiology
Cell proliferation
Cytokines - biosynthesis
Dimerization
DNA - metabolism
DNA Helicases
DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Ku Autoantigen
Ku protein
Leukocytes, Mononuclear
Mitosis
Molecular and cellular biology
Nuclear Proteins - metabolism
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Summary:Previous studies on DNA repair in ageing have demonstrated increased frequencies of single and double strand breaks in lymphocytes from elderly subjects and, as a consequence, decreased efficiency in DNA replication. We have investigated the relationship between cell proliferation and the nuclear expression of ku protein in a human population of 43 subjects of different ages. Ku is an heterodimeric protein composed of two subunits of 70 and 80 kDa, which is involved in the early steps of DNA damage recognition. In the present study, PBL from subjects of different ages were PHA-activated to evaluate the stimulation index and the production of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines. Moreover, nuclear extracts were obtained from activated lymphocytes to evaluate by a gel retardation assay the presence and the functional activity of the heterodimer ku 70/80. Our results indicate that ageing affects the mitotic responsiveness and cytokine production to a significant extent, but only marginally the expression of ku 70/80. These findings suggest that the age-related impairment in DNA repair mechanisms are only in part related to the reduced expression of ku protein able to recognize DNA damage.
ISSN:0047-6374
1872-6216
DOI:10.1016/S0047-6374(97)00137-1