Involvement of Disulfide Bonds in the Condensed Structure of Facultative Heterochromatin and Implications on Cellular Differentiation and Aging

Abstract

In the previous contribution to this debate, the age-associated disulfide bonding between chromatin proteins was suggested as the primary event leading to cellular aging. Evidence is now presented that S-S bond formation in chromatin may be a programmed event. The possible role of SH oxidating random events in the accumulation of S-S bonds in chromatin with age are also pointed out. Finally, the possible slowing down of the aging process with the sulfhydryl protecting-disulfide reducing agents is discussed together with some supporting experimental results.