Band 3, the most heavily used
anion transport system in vertebrates, ages as cells and tissues age. Posttranslational changes in band 3 in adult and aging brain were investigated following treatment with
ergoloid mesylates and compared to changes observed in
Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study was conducted in a double blind fashion and was decoded only after the study was completed. The following posttranslational changes in brain band 3 occur with age: increased breakdown of band 3; decreased phosphorylation; and decreased
anion transport.
Autoantibodies to senescent cell
antigen (SCA) synthetic
peptides residue 538-554 and 812-827 increase with age, but
antibodies to the former
peptide are significantly reduced in
ergoloid mesylate treated old mice. This is a critical transport region of band 3. Results showed the aged/altered band 3 increased in
Alzheimer's disease (AD) as determined by quantitative antibody binding.
Ergoloid mesylates altered the age-related posttranslational changes as follows: the observed age-related decrease in brain band 3 was partially reversed and
anion transport was increased. This is consistent with the data indicating decreased
autoantibodies to a critical
anion transport segment of band 3. Aging appears to result in damage to a critical transport region of the
anion transporter which is reflected by decreased
anion transport, increased breakdown, alteration of the molecule itself, and an increase in
autoantibodies to the region.
Ergoloid mesylates seem to protect against this damage.