title: Age-correlated changes in the DNA template in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Analysis of DNA from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans demonstrated a number of significant age-correlated changes. The number of single-strand breaks as assayed by an in vitro assay procedure using Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I increased significantly with age. There was also an exponential increase in the amount of 5-methylcytosine in C. elegans DNA as the worm matured and aged. Furthermore, DNA isolated from older worms exhibited reduced transcriptional capacity when assayed in a HeLa cell in vitro transcription system. Finally, a biological assay to determine age-correlated changes in the DNA of aging sperm demonstrated a significant reduction in the capacity of the sperm to support zygotic development as the age of the male increased. These findings demonstrated significant age-correlated alterations and modifications occurring in the DNA template of the nematode, and their implications to the aging process are discussed.
mesh_terms: D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000032:analysis*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D044503:5-Methylcytosine; D003596:Cytosine; D004247:DNA