A possible new role for the anti-ageing peptide carnosine.
The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is found in surprisingly large amounts in long-lived tissues and can delay ageing in cultured human fibroblasts. Carnosine has been regarded largely as an anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger. More recently, an anti-glycating potential has been discovered whereby carnosine can react with low-molecular-weight compounds that bear carbonyl groups (aldehydes and ketones). Carbonyl groups, arising mostly from the attack of reactive oxygen species and low-molecular-weight aldehydes and ketones, accumulate on proteins during ageing. Here we propose, with supporting evidence, that carnosine can react with protein carbonyl groups to produce protein-carbonyl-carnosine adducts ('carnosinylated' proteins). The various possible cellular fates of the carnosinylated proteins are discussed. These proposals may help explain anti-ageing actions of carnosine and its presence in non-mitotic cells of long-lived mammals.
Hipkiss
A R
AR
Biomolecular Sciences Division, GKT School of Biomedical Sciences, King's College London, UK. alan.hipkiss@kcl.ac.uk
Brownson
C
C
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D011506:Proteins; D002336:Carnosine; D010047:Ovalbumin