mRNA levels and methylation patterns of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene in aging inbred rats.

We have examined the mRNA levels and methylation patterns of the liver-specific tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene in inbred female rats aged 6, 24 and 36 months. Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA showed a 65% decrease in the steady state transcript level of TAT in the liver of 24- and 36-month old rats as compared to 6-month old animals. The TAT gene as studied by Southern hybridization analysis using the isoschizomers Hpa II and Msp I was found to be hypomethylated in the liver as compared to spleen and brain at six CpG sites within the gene. Methylation at these sites remained unchanged during aging.