ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a review of what is known about the changes in various components of the protein-synthetic machinery and the changes in posttranslational modifications of proteins during aging. There are three major components of the translational apparatus: the translational particle, the ribosome; the charging system and the amino acid transfer system; and the translational factors. Several studies indicate that the biochemical and biophysical changes in ribosomal characteristics may be more important for translational regulation during aging. The studies on ribosomal accuracy during aging have been performed on animal tissues such as chick brain, mouse liver, and rat brain, liver, and kidney. With regard to aging, a slowing down of the elongation phase of protein synthesis has been suggested as being crucial in bringing about the age-related decline in total protein synthesis. Studies performed on aging cells have not shown any deficiency in the amount, activity, or ability of protein kinase C.
