Age-dependent increase in C7-1 gene expression in rat frontal cortex

We have previously reported that a fragment of mRNA, denoted as C7-1, which expression was significantly increased in the frontal cortex of aged rats. In the present study, we have cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA of the C7-1 gene. We have found that the open reading frame of this gene enco ded a 463-amino-acid protein, which shared 84% identity in amino acid seque nce with a subunit of vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase). Further Northern blot analysis revealed that there was an age-dependent increase in C7-1 gene exp ression in rat frontal cortex, but not in other brain areas. Moreover, appl ication of C7-1 antisense oligonucleotide to cortical neuronal cultures mar kedly inhibited cell survival. These results together suggest that C7-1 is a marker fur the aging process and that upregulation of C7-1 may be importa nt in maintaining the normal function of V-ATPase during aging. (C) 2000 Pu blished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.