mRNA levels and methylation patterns of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene in aging inbred rats.
We have examined the mRNA levels and methylation patterns of the liver-specific tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene in inbred female rats aged 6, 24 and 36 months. Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA showed a 65% decrease in the steady state transcript level of TAT in the liver of 24- and 36-month old rats as compared to 6-month old animals. The TAT gene as studied by Southern hybridization analysis using the isoschizomers Hpa II and Msp I was found to be hypomethylated in the liver as compared to spleen and brain at six CpG sites within the gene. Methylation at these sites remained unchanged during aging.
Slagboom
P E
PE
Department of Molecular Biology, TNO Institute for Experimental Gerontology, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
de Leeuw
W J
WJ
Vijg
J
J
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology; D008745:Methylation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D014444:Tyrosine Transaminase / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014444:Tyrosine Transaminase