title: Changes in transcriptional activity and matrix association of alpha 2u-globulin gene family in the rat liver during maturation and aging.
abstract: Hepatic synthesis of alpha 2u-globulin in the male rat begins at puberty (about 40 days), reaches a peak level at about 80 days, and ceases at about 750-800 days of age. The age-dependent changes in alpha 2u-globulin synthesis are correlated with both the steady-state level of the hepatic mRNA for this protein and the rate of transcription of the alpha 2u-globulin gene family. Transcriptional activation of the alpha 2u-globulin gene family at puberty and cessation of transcription at senescence correlate with the association and dissociation of this gene domain with the nuclear matrix. Unlike the alpha 2u-globulin gene, the albumin gene in the liver shows preferential association with the nuclear matrix throughout the life. From these results we conclude that the age-dependent changes in alpha 2u-globulin synthesis are due to the alteration in the rate of transcription of the alpha 2u-globulin gene, and that the association of this gene domain to the nuclear matrix is a prerequisite to its transcriptional activation.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012709:Serum Albumin; D004958:Estradiol