DIFFERENTIAL OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO MITOCHONDRIAL PROTEINS DURING AGING

The level of mitochondrial protein oxidative damage, indicated by the protein carbonyl content, has been previously shown to increase with a ge. The objective of this study was to determine whether such age-asso ciated damage is random or whether some proteins are relatively more s usceptible. Mitochondrial proteins were analyzed by gel filtration. Hi gh molecular weight proteins were found to be relatively more oxidativ ely damaged during aging. Results are interpreted to indicate that pro tein oxidative damage during aging is not random. The question of the validity of the HPLC method for the measurement of protein carbonyls i s discussed in light of a recent report questioning its reliability.