Tissue Protein Carbonylation in Aging: A Strategic Analysis of Age-Related Protein Modification
T. A. Kolawole
Department of Human Physiology, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
O. N. Ilochi *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
B. O. Oluwatayo
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria and Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
A. N. Chuemere
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria and Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
D. V. Dapper
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Free radicals generated in a variety of biological systems have been implicated in mechanisms of aging and age-related pathologies. This study strategically revealed the varying levels of carbonylated proteins in 3 different tissues of 40 wistar rats of varying ages. Their ages include 25-30, 45-50 and 65-70 days. The brain, heart and kidney tissue homogenates were prepared and biochemically analyzed for products of protein oxidation using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones and autoantibodies against carbonylated proteins. This study revealed a direct proportional relationship between age and protein carbonylation in brain, heart and kidney tissue homogenates. The level of carbonylated proteins were significantly (P≤0.05) increased in the assayed tissues as all test groups advanced in age. Oxidative modification of proteins in brain and kidney tissues showed similar trend. This age-related biochemical manifestation may be as a result of increased generation of free radicals at mitochondrial level or decreased anti-oxidant defenses as living organisms advance in age.
Keywords: Aging, carbonylated proteins, free radicals, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone