Effect of starvation on the intensity of proteolysis and amidation of proteins in tissues of rats of different ages

• Published in: Voprosy meditsinskoi khimii Vol. 33; no. 3; p. 45
• Main Authors: Krichevskaia, A A, Lukash, A I, Pushkina, N V, Shepotinovskaia, I V, Zhdanov, A Iu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 01-05-1987
• Subjects: Aging - metabolism; Amides - metabolism; Animals; Hydrolysis; Male; Proteins - metabolism; Rats; Starvation - metabolism; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0042-8809

Rates of autolysis and degree of amidation of tissue proteins were studied in rats under conditions of ageing and after starvation during 7 days. Proteins with decreased content of amide groups accumulated in brain, liver tissues and skeletal muscles. This phenomenon occurred apparently due to decrease in the rate of protein autolysis observed in ageing. In testes, where the rate of protein autolysis was similar both in young and old animals, the protein amidation was not altered on the course of ageing. Under conditions of severe starvation activation of proteolysis was observed in cells. At the same time, the amide content was restored in liver and muscle proteins of old rats up to the level, estimated in tissues of young animals. These data suggest stimulation of selective degradation of the deamidated proteins. The activation of autolysis and normalization of the protein amide groups content were not observed in brain of old animals under conditions of starvation.