Abstract
Aspartic acid racemization (AAR) represents one of the major types of non-enzymatic covalent modification that leads to an age-dependent accumulation of abnormal protein in numerous human tissues. In vivo racemization is an autonomic process during the 'natural' ageing of proteins, and correlates with the age of long-lived proteins. Consequently AAR can be used as molecular indicator of protein ageing as well as for the identification of permanent proteins that age with the human organism. Although long-living, structural proteins are mainly affected, AAR may be significant on a time scale also relevant to enzymes and signaling proteins. It may result in a loss of protein function due to proteolysis or due to changes in the molecular structure. In vivo racemization may also increase in pathological conditions. AAR has already been discussed as a relevant pathophysiological factor in the pathogenesis of diseases of old age such as atherosclerosis, lung emphysema, presbyopia, cataract, degenerative diseases of cartilage and cerebral age-related dysfunctions. Although the details of the biological consequences of AAR have to be further elucidated, it is evident that AAR plays a role in the molecular biology of ageing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Ageing Research Reviews |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 43-59 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| ISSN | 1568-1637 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2002 |
Keywords
- Aspartic acid
- Collagen
- Deamidation
- Racemization
- Review
- Succinimide
