Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-4-21
pubmed:abstractText
Although glutathione (GSH) concentration has been reported to diminish with age, the mechanism underlying such age-associated decline in the GSH content is not well understood. In this study, we compared the gene expression of both subunits of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo GSH synthesis, in young, adult, and old Fisher 344 rats. It was found that GCS activity was significantly decreased with increased age in liver, kidney, lung, and red blood cells (RBC). Parallel with the decreased enzyme activity, the protein and mRNA contents of both GCS subunits also changed inversely with age in liver, kidney, and lung, implying a decreased GCS gene expression during aging. Such a reduced GCS gene expression was accompanied by a decline in total GSH content without any change in cysteine concentration. Furthermore, the decreased GCS gene expression in old rats was not associated with a decline in the plasma insulin or cortisol level. This study showed, for the first time, that the expression of both GCS subunit genes was decreased in some organs of old rats, which would result in a reduced rate of GSH biosynthesis. Such decline in GSH synthetic capacity may underlie the observed decrease in GSH content during aging.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0891-5849
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
28
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
566-74
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Age-associated decline in gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene expression in rats.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA. rliu@hsc.usc.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't