Uracil-DNA glycosylase activity in human blood cells

We studied uracil-DNA glycosylase activities systematically in all types of human peripheral blood cells. The highest amounts of uracil-DNA glycosylase activity were found in cells capable of using their genetic information either in DNA replicative or repair synthesis or in DNA transcription. These cells included cytotoxic/suppressor and inducer/helper T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and monocytes. On the other hand, the peripheral blood mature end cells, erythrocytes, platelets and granulocytes, contained very little if any uracil-DNA glycosylase activity. In addition to this biological capacity, we show that the housekeeping excision repair capacity of uracil-DNA glycosylase is well maintained in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells throughout life from the neonatal period to old age.