Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
Published on: May 1, 2017
Transglutaminase-mediated crosslinking of specific core histone subunits and cellular senescence
1Department of Biochemistry, Aging and Physical Culture Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. scpark@plaza.snu.ac.kr
Abstract:
We observed that the transglutaminase (tTGase) level and activity increased in aged rats and senescent primary fibroblasts, suggesting that the tTGase-mediated macromolecule crosslinking may play a mechanistic role during aging. Although preliminary, our in vitro experiment suggests that the target of tTGase is core histones: H2A:H2B and H3:H4 are specifically crosslinked by tTGase. On the basis of these data, we postulate that the changes of DNA metabolism in association with cellular aging may be ascribed primarily to the crosslinking of core histone subunits. Further speculation awaits substantive data showing increased histone crosslinking in senescent cells and also what crosslinked histones in various DNA metabolisms may imply. At the moment, present data are sufficient to propose that tTGase is a senescence marker and it may be primarily responsible for the phenotypes associated with cellular senescence.
Related Concept Videos
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative Cell Senescence
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

