O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase levels in tissues of methionine-cysteine deficient subadult and adult mice.

1. Subadult and adult mice were fed during 6 days a diet containing a complete mixture of amino acids or a mixture low in methionine-cysteine. 2. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MT) is the acceptor protein for methyl groups present in DNA at the O-6 position of a guanine that has been methylated by alkylating carcinogenic agents. 3. Upon methionine-cysteine deficiency O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase levels decreased significantly in liver, but seemed unaffected in kidney, lung, testis and brain. 4. Age associated differences were found in liver, with lower values in the subadult than the adult mice leaving the young animals more vulnerable to exposure to alkylating agents. 5. To ensure an efficient repair of DNA lesions both age groups depended on a complete amino acid mixture in the diet.