Time-dependent loss of adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase activity may
explain elevated adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels in senescent erythrocytes
GL Dale and SL Norenberg
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Research Institute of
Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Senescent erythrocytes from rabbits were previously shown to have elevated
levels of adenine nucleotides. The present study documents that aged red
blood cells have a normal synthetic capacity for adenine nucleotides, as
indicated by normal levels of adenosine kinase. However, senescent
erythrocytes do have decreased levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate
deaminase, the critical enzyme involved in degrading adenine nucleotides.
These circumstances of a normal synthetic capacity in the presence of
decreased catabolic ability were observed previously in a human genetic
deficiency of adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase; the red blood cells in
these patients accumulate adenosine 5'- triphosphate as do senescent
erythrocytes in rabbits.
Volume 74,
Issue 6,
pp. 2157-2160,
11/01/1989
Copyright © 1989 by The American Society of Hematology
