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Epigenetic Changes of Activity of the Ribosomal Cistrons of Human Acrocentric Chromatids in Fetuses, Middle-aged (22–45 years) and Old Individuals (80–106 years)

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Abstract

The level of total heterochromatin, Ag-positive nucleolar organiser regions (NORs) heterochromatin, non-associated and associated heterochromatin satellite stalks of acrocentric chromatids (some acrocentric chromosomal chromatid satellite stalks are connected to each other forming a satellite association), the intensity of each acrocentric chromatid involved in the association and types of associated chromatids were studied from 29 fetuses, from 32 healthy individuals 22–45 years (middle-aged) old and 22 healthy individuals 80–106 years old. The chromosomes were identified by the analysis of G-banding, using the Ikaros karyotyping system (Meta system). The differential scanning calorimeter showed an increase in chromatin thermostability (heterochromatinization) at adults (middle and old aged) compared with fetuses. The number of Ag-positive NORs per cell, for both associated and non-associated chromatids, was significantly increased in fetus cells than in middle and in extreme old age. The chromatid satellite association of fetus cells and the elderly was consistently reduced, compared with middle-aged individuals. Activity of chromatids of the 15th chromosomes, entered in association in the fetus, in middle and old age adults, was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), compared to other acrocentric chromatids, while the chromatids of 21st chromosome participated in associations with high activity (p < 0.05). The frequency of association of homologous (13:13; 14:14; 15:15; 22:22) and certain types of non-homologous chromatids (15:22 and 21:22) in the fetus and in 22–45 and 80–106 years old individuals was almost identically. The above noted phenomena apparently indicate that chromatid satellite ribosomal genes of acrocentric chromosomes undergo specific epigenetic variation depending on age, determining the specific synthesis of rRNA for constructing specific ribosomes, which may have great importance in assessing the general functioning of cells in normal and pathological conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, 0128, Tbilisi, Georgia

    T. Lezhava, T. Buadze, T. Jokhadze & M. Gaiozishvili

  2. Institute of Physics; Institute of Genetics, Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, 0128, Tbilisi, Georgia

    J. Monaselidze

  3. “Perinatology” Centre of Prenatal Diagnosis, Tbilisi, Georgia

    N. Sigua, N. Jangulashvili & M. Rukhadze

  4. Shota Rustaveli Batumi State University, Batumi, Georgia

    M. Koridze & N. Zosidze

Authors
  1. T. Lezhava
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  2. T. Buadze
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  3. J. Monaselidze
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  4. T. Jokhadze
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  5. N. Sigua
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  6. N. Jangulashvili
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  7. M. Gaiozishvili
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  8. M. Koridze
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to T. Lezhava, J. Monaselidze, N. Sigua or M. Koridze.

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FUNDING

The research was financed by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.

COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL STANDARDS

Conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statement of compliance with standards of research involving humans as subjects. The Ethical Committee of the Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), Georgia approved the protocol and the parents of each fetus, and all adults 22-106 years provided informed consent.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Professor Teimuraz Lezhava Planned the research. Dr. Tamar Buadze, Associated Professor Tinatin Jokhadze and Assistant-Professor Maia Gaiozishvili have made experimental part of the research – cultivation and analyzing of chromosomes. Professor Jamlet Monaselidze made the Differential Scanning Calorimeter investigation. Professor Estate Khmaladze had made the statistical analysis of the data. Dr. Natela Jangulashvili, Dr. Nino Sigua and Maia Rukhadze participated in collection research material and analyzing of chromosomes from fetus. Professor M. Koridze and Nato Zosidze provided the collection of Blood from senile individuals.

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Lezhava, T., Buadze, T., Monaselidze, J. et al. Epigenetic Changes of Activity of the Ribosomal Cistrons of Human Acrocentric Chromatids in Fetuses, Middle-aged (22–45 years) and Old Individuals (80–106 years). Cytol. Genet. 54, 233–242 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3103/S009545272003007X

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