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Age dependency of base modification in rabbit liver DNA
O Yamamoto1, I Fuji, T Yoshida
1Research Institute for Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Hiroshima University.
Journal of Gerontology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
DNA damage accumulates with age in rabbits, with crosslinked DNA base products increasing exponentially in older animals. This study quanties age-related DNA modifications in Oryctolagus cuniculus liver.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA damage is a hallmark of aging.
- Age-related DNA base modifications have been observed in various species.
- The New Zealand white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has a median lifespan of 5-7 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related DNA base modifications in the liver of New Zealand white rabbits.
- To identify and quantify specific DNA modifications associated with aging.
Main Methods:
- DNA was extracted from liver cell nuclei of rabbits aged 6 weeks to 9 years.
- DNA was hydrolyzed with acid, and bases were analyzed using column chromatography (GC-15-m).
- Mass spectrometry was used to identify crosslinked base products.
Main Results:
- Two novel peaks eluting before standard DNA bases were detected, containing modified bases.
- These modified bases were identified as crosslinked base products.
- The yield of crosslinked products increased exponentially with rabbit age (correlation coefficient: 0.76 +/- 0.09).
Conclusions:
- Age-related accumulation of DNA crosslinked base products occurs in rabbit liver.
- The exponential increase suggests a significant role in aging processes.
- This finding provides insights into molecular mechanisms of aging in mammals.