Effects of polyamines on in vitro phosphorylation and acetylation of histones of the cerebral cortex of rats of various ages

$\text{In}\text{vitro}$ phosphorylation and acetylation of histones and their modulation by spermine and spermidine were studied using slices of cerebral cortex of female rats of various ages. Phosphorylation and acetylation of individual histones decrease with increasing age. Spermine and spermidine have stimulatory effects on both the modifications of specific histones in immature rats. These effects decrease with increasing age. Such changes in covalent modifications of histones may alter gene expression and contribute to the aging process.