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Effects of age on clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown that circadian clock genes are expressed in various peripheral tissues, raising the possibility that multiple clocks regulate circadian physiology. To study clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland we used gene microarray data and found that the pituitary glands of young and old adult males express several components of the circadian clock (Per1, Per2, Cry1, Bmal1, Clock, Rev-erbalpha and Csnk1varepsilon). Semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR) confirmed the presence of these core-clock genes and detected significant age-related differences in the expression of Per2. sqRT-PCR also showed differential expression of core-clock genes at two opposing time-points over the 24-h day, with greater expression of Per2 and Bmal1 (P<0.05) at 1300h as compared to 0100h. Immunohistochemistry revealed rhythmic expression of REV-ERBalpha in the pituitary glands of female macaques. These data provide evidence that the rhesus macaque pituitary gland expresses core-clock genes and their associated protein products in a 24-h rhythmic pattern, and that their expression is moderately impacted by aging processes.

SUBMITTER: Sitzmann BD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2823945 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of age on clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland.

Sitzmann Brandon D BD Lemos Dario R DR Ottinger Mary Ann MA Urbanski Henryk F HF

Neurobiology of aging 20080709 4

Recent studies have shown that circadian clock genes are expressed in various peripheral tissues, raising the possibility that multiple clocks regulate circadian physiology. To study clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland we used gene microarray data and found that the pituitary glands of young and old adult males express several components of the circadian clock (Per1, Per2, Cry1, Bmal1, Clock, Rev-erbalpha and Csnk1varepsilon). Semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polym ...[more]

PMID: 18614257

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Project description:PurposeTo assess age-related changes in the rhesus macaque eye and evaluate them to corresponding human age-related eye disease.MethodsData from eye exams and imaging tests including intraocular pressure (IOP), lens thickness, axial length, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were evaluated from 142 individuals and statistically analyzed for age-related changes. Quantitative autofluorescence (qAF) was measured as was the presence of macular lesions as related to age.ResultsAges of the 142 rhesus macaques ranged from 0.7 to 29 years (mean = 16.4 years, stdev = 7.5 years). Anterior segment measurements such as IOP, lens thickness, and axial length were acquired. Advanced retinal imaging in the form of optical coherence tomography and qAF were obtained. Quantitative assessments were made and variations by age groups were analyzed to compare with established age-related changes in human eyes. Quantitative analysis of data revealed age-related increase in intraocular pressure (0.165 mm Hg per increase in year of age), ocular biometry (lens thickness 7.2 μm per increase in year of age; and axial length 52.8 μm per increase in year of age), and presence of macular lesions. Age-related changes in thicknesses of retinal layers on OCT were observed and quantified, showing decreased thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, and increased thickness of photoreceptor outer segment and choroidal layers. Age was correlated with increased qAF by 1.021 autofluorescence units per increase in year of age.ConclusionsThe rhesus macaque has age-related ocular changes similar to humans. IOP increases with age while retinal ganglion cell layer thickness decreases. Macular lesions develop in some aged animals. Our findings support the concept that rhesus macaques may be useful for the study of important age-related diseases such as glaucoma, macular diseases, and cone disorders, and for development of therapies for these diseases.

Dataset Information

Effects of age on clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland.

Publications

Effects of age on clock gene expression in the rhesus macaque pituitary gland.

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