Age-related alterations in second-messenger systems in the gerbil brain: autoradiographic analysis and effect of vinconate.

Age-related alterations in binding sites of major second-messenger systems in the gerbil brain were analyzed by receptor autoradiography using [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), and [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). In middle-aged gerbils (16 months old), the reduction of PDBu-binding sites was noticed in various brain regions compared with young animals (4 weeks old). By contrast, the elevation of IP3-binding sites was seen in most of brain regions except for the reduction in the cerebellum in the middle-aged animals. Chronic treatment with vinconate partly regulated the age-related changes in the binding sites of these second messengers. The result demonstrates the age-related alterations in the binding sites of an intracellular second-messenger system. Furthermore, they suggest that vinconate partly modulates the age-related alterations in the bindings of second messengers.