Effect of age on DNA binding of the ku protein in irradiated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)

Exp Gerontol. 1999 Aug;34(5):645-58. doi: 10.1016/s0531-5565(99)00026-1.

Abstract

DNA binding of the ku protein was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 24 subjects of different ages (20-89 years old) displaying age-related changes in DNA repair, mitotic responsiveness, and cytokine production. Ku is an heterodimeric protein composed of two subunits of 70 and 80 kDa, which is involved in the earliest steps of DNA damage recognition. DNA binding of ku 70/80 was found unchanged in normal PBMC from aging subjects but progressively declined in x-ray-irradiated PBMC from young to adult, and elderly subjects. This finding was concomitant with the age-related fall of DNA repair in the whole population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / blood*
  • Antigens, Nuclear*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • DNA / blood*
  • DNA / radiation effects
  • DNA Helicases*
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA Repair / drug effects
  • DNA Repair / physiology*
  • DNA Repair / radiation effects
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / blood*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / pharmacology
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation / radiation effects
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitosis
  • Nuclear Proteins / blood*
  • Nuclear Proteins / radiation effects
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • Cytokines
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • DNA
  • DNA Helicases
  • XRCC5 protein, human
  • Xrcc6 protein, human
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • Hydroxyurea