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Decrease in cytosolic Aspartyl-aminopeptidase but not in Alanyl-aminopeptidase activity in the frontal cortex of the
C Iribar1, M J Esteban, J M Martinez
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Granada School of Medicine, Spain.
Brain Research
|July 31, 1995
Summary
Aspartyl-aminopeptidase activity declines in aged rats, challenging the excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity hypothesis. This study reveals age-related changes in enzymatic activity impacting protein degradation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Aging Research
Background:
- Excitatory amino acids are implicated in neurotoxicity.
- Amino peptidases may contribute to free acidic amino acid pools.
- Age-related changes in brain function are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Aspartyl-aminopeptidase in the frontal cortex of aging rats.
- To test the neurotoxic hypothesis related to excitatory amino acids.
- To evaluate age-dependent alterations in aminopeptidase activity.
Main Methods:
- Assessed Aspartyl-aminopeptidase and Alanyl-aminopeptidase activity in rat frontal cortex.
- Compared enzyme activity in adult (3 months) and aged rats (26, 29, 33 months).
Main Results:
- Aspartyl-aminopeptidase activity significantly decreased in the oldest rats (29 and 33 months).
- Alanyl-aminopeptidase activity, an unspecific enzyme, showed no significant age-related changes.
- Findings invalidate the hypothesis of excess free acidic amino acid release by aminopeptidases in aged rats.
Conclusions:
- Age-related decline in Aspartyl-aminopeptidase activity occurs in the rat frontal cortex.
- These enzymatic changes suggest broader implications for protein degradation processes in aging.
- The study provides evidence for age-specific alterations in enzymatic functions within the brain.