Human serum pyroglutamyl-beta-naphthylamide hydrolyzing activity during development and aging

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Enzymology

Background:

• Pyroglutamyl-beta-naphthylamide hydrolyzing activity (pGluHA) removes pyroglutamic acid from peptides like TRH and GnRH.
• The specific physiological role of pGluHA in human serum remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the activity of pGluHA in human serum across different developmental and aging stages.
• To identify potential sex-specific differences and age-related trends in pGluHA activity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of pGluHA activity in serum samples from 139 men and 148 women.
• Quantification of pGluHA using the artificial substrate pGlu-beta-naphthylamide.

Main Results:

• Observed significant sex differences and age-related changes in pGluHA activity in both men and women.
• Men showed increased activity until puberty, with no substantial post-pubertal changes. Women exhibited increased activity in older age groups.
• A significant positive correlation between pGluHA activity and age was found in the total population and within each sex.

Conclusions:

• pGluHA activity in human serum exhibits distinct developmental and aging patterns that differ between sexes.
• These findings suggest potential alterations in the functional status of circulating substrates influenced by age and sex.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise physiological implications of these observed pGluHA activity changes.