Decrease in specific activity of heart and muscle aldolase in old mice

Abstract

1. 1. Aldolase was purified from mouse heart and muscle cells by column chromatography. The enzyme from 3- and 30-month old mouse tissues was assayed under different temperature and pH conditions in order to determine the effect of these parameters on the activity of aldolase from the two age groups.2. 2. The results showed that the specific activity of aldolase decreases as a function of mouse senescence. The specific activity of young mouse muscle aldolase is times that of the enzyme from old mouse muscle. This trend was also observed with heart cell aldolase.3. 3. These results indicate that the heart and muscle cells of old mice accumulate inactive molecules of aldolase.