Abstract
Abstract
Alkali-labile sites accumulate in DNA during aging in vitro of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. The sedimentation velocity of newly synthesized DNA was analyzed in alkaline sucrose gradients in young and old cells. Although most of the old cells had gone through a whole S period, their DNA sedimented in a dispersed fashion. Hydrocortisone shortened the time of appearance of bulk DNA. The results are compatible with the slowdown of DNA chain elongation during aging and could explain to a certain extent the sustaining effect of hydrocortisone on the human fibroblast lifespan.
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