Aging impairs the expression of the catalytic subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase in soleus muscle under stress

Chiao Nan Chen, Holly M. Brown-Borg, Sharlene G. Rakoczy, Deborah A. Ferrington, Ladora V. Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanisms responsible for the disrupted homeostasis of reduced glutathione (GSH) in aging muscles with stress (14 days of hind-limb unloading [HU]). Adult and old rats were randomized into four groups: weight bearing and 3, 7, and 14 days of HU. Soleus muscles were harvested to investigate the activity or content of enzymes involved in GSH metabolism (utilization and synthesis). The activities of glutathione S transferase, glutathione reductase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) were determined. The protein content of the two subunits of GCL, catalytic subunit (GCLC) and modifier subunit (GCLM), were evaluated. The major results, failure to maintain the accelerated GCLC production and GCL activity, are associated with the GSH depletion in aging muscles with 14 days of HU. The results suggest that the regulation of GCL, especially the catalytic subunit, with stress may be compromised in aging muscles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)129-137
Number of pages9
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume65
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project was partially funded by AG-17768 and AG-21626 (L.V.T.) from the National Institutes of Health . C.C. was funded by the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship from the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota .

Keywords

  • GCL
  • GCLC
  • Hind-limb unloading

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