The analytical approach to the nature of lipofuscin (age pigment).
Abstract: Analytical studies of three lipopigments show that much can be achieved. Lipopigment from ovine ceroid-lipofuscinosis is composed of discrete protein and lipid molecules in orderly arrays and lipid peroxidation is not involved in its formation. Subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase accounts for approximately 50% of accumulated material and is specific to the disease process in this and other forms of the disease. Lipofuscin from bovine heart was mostly soluble and also contained discrete proteins, lipids and metals. Equine thyroid lipofuscin was less soluble but also had a relatively high protein content, probably derived from thyroglobulin. Although sugar could not be measured quantitatively, staining reactions and elemental analyses suggested it could also be a significant component. Some may be present as derivatives in the form of advanced glycation products. It is proposed that protein, the dominant molecular species present, is the important constituent in lipofuscinogenesis rather than lipid peroxidation. Whereas this latter may play some part in the maturation of lipofuscin, this has not been shown experimentally and is not likely to be the initiating mechanism.
Publication Date: 2004-02-07 PubMed ID: 14764324DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4943(01)00219-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the composition and formation of lipofuscin, also known as age pigment, across three different sources: ovine ceroid-lipofuscinosis, bovine heart, and equine thyroid. The study proposes that the formation of lipofuscin is primarily protein-driven, and lipid peroxidation is not a key driver in its formation.
Findings from Ovine Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis Lipopigment
- The lipopigment from ovine ceroid-lipofuscinosis, a disease in sheep, was found to contain orderly arrays of distinct protein and lipid molecules.
- Contrary to some expectations, lipid peroxidation—a process where lipids in cell membranes have their electrons stolen by free radicals—does not seem to be involved in the formation of the lipopigment in this context.
- About half of the material accumulated in this disease was found to be subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase, suggesting that this particular component is heavily involved and specific to this and similar diseases.
Findings from Bovine Heart Lipofuscin
- Most of the lipofuscin collected from bovine hearts was soluble. This lipofuscin also contained distinct proteins, lipids, and metals.
Findings from Equine Thyroid Lipofuscin
- The lipofuscin derived from equine thyroids was less soluble, but contained a comparatively high protein content, likely originating from thyroglobulin, a protein produced by the thyroid gland.
- Though it wasn’t possible to measure the sugar content in these aggregated materials quantitatively, staining reactions and elemental analyses hinted that it too could be a significant constituent.
- Some of this sugar may exist in the form of advanced glycation products – these are compounds created in the browning process during cooking, and in aging.
Protein as the Key Driver in Lipofuscin Formation
- From the compiled evidence, the researchers concluded that protein—rather than lipid peroxidation—seemed to be the primary driver in lipofuscin formation, or “lipofuscinogenesis”.
- While lipid peroxidation may have some role in the maturation of lipofuscin, the study found that it hasn’t been definitively proven experimentally, and isn’t likely the starting mechanism for lipofuscinogenesis.
Cite This Article
APA
Jolly RD, Palmer DN, Dalefield RR.
(2004).
The analytical approach to the nature of lipofuscin (age pigment).
Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 34(3), 205-217.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-4943(01)00219-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. r.d.jolly@massey.ac.nz
Citations
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