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Age-associated changes in glutamine synthetase activity in WI-38 cells
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|July 1, 1978
Summary
As human fibroblast cells age in culture, their glutamine synthetase activity decreases, but the amount of functional enzyme remains stable. This suggests age-related molecular changes in the enzyme.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Enzymology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Cellular aging is associated with biochemical changes.
- Glutamine synthetase is a key enzyme in cellular metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in glutamine synthetase activity and properties in WI-38 fibroblasts.
- To determine if enzyme levels or molecular integrity are affected by cellular senescence.
Main Methods:
- Culturing human fibroblast WI-38 cells over extended periods.
- Measuring glutamine synthetase specific activity.
- Assessing enzyme levels per cell.
- Performing heat inactivation assays.
Main Results:
- Glutamine synthetase specific activity declined with cell culture age.
- The amount of functional enzyme per cell remained constant.
- Enzyme from older cells exhibited greater heat stability compared to younger cells.
Conclusions:
- Age-dependent alterations in the glutamine synthetase molecule likely occur in WI-38 cells.
- These molecular changes may explain the observed decrease in specific activity without altering functional enzyme levels.