Changes in 80S ribosomes from Drosophila melanogaster with age.

A 23% reduction in the amount of 80S ribosomes extracted from young and old male Drosophila melanogaster on a per g wet weight basis was demonstrated. Furthermore, a significant alteration in the structural integrity of the ribosomal RNA-protein complex from older flies as demonstrated by the dissociation of protein from the 80S particle in the presence of varying concentrations of KC1 was observed.