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Increase in cathepsin D activity in rat brain in aging
A Kenessey1, M Banay-Schwartz, T DeGuzman
1Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Center for Neurochemistry, Ward's Island, New York, NY 10035.
Journal of Neuroscience Research
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Brain aging significantly increases Cathepsin D-like activity in Fischer 344 rats across multiple brain regions. This heightened metabolic capacity may contribute to age-related brain degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cathepsin D is a key aspartic protease involved in cellular degradation.
- Age-related changes in brain enzyme activity are not fully understood.
- Fischer 344 rats are a common model for studying aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-dependent changes in Cathepsin D-like activity in specific rat brain regions.
- To determine the contribution of Cathepsin D-like enzymes to brain aging.
Main Methods:
- Homogenates from five brain areas of young (3-month-old) and old (24-month-old) Fischer 344 rats were analyzed.
- Cathepsin D-like activity was measured using hemoglobin as a substrate at pH 3.2.
- Pepstatin inhibition was used to confirm the specificity of the measured activity.
Main Results:
- Cathepsin D-like activity was significantly higher in old rats compared to young rats across all five brain areas studied.
- Activity was 140-160% higher in the cortex, cerebellum, pons-medulla, and striatum of old rats.
- Activity was 90-100% higher in the hippocampus and spinal cord of old rats.
Conclusions:
- Aging in Fischer 344 rats is associated with a substantial increase in Cathepsin D-like activity in various brain regions.
- This elevated enzymatic activity, potentially independent of protein turnover, may play a role in age-related brain pathology.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking increased Cathepsin D-like activity to neurodegeneration.