Transfer RNA in aging Drosophila: II. Isoacceptor patterns.

Transfer RNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have been isolated from 5 and 35 day old Drosophila melanogaster males. The isoacceptor pattern of the following tRNAs is not changed irrespective of the source of the tRNA and amino-acylating enzymes: tRNAAla, tRNALeu, tRNAMet, and tRNASer. However, the Q base containing tRNAAsp, tRNAAsN, tRNAHis, and tRNATyr show dramatic changes in their isoacceptor patterns during the aging process. This probably reflects a change in the activity of a tRNA modifying enzyme. These findings are discussed in relation to Strehler's theory of aging and development.