title: Non-enzymatic covalent modifications of proteins: mechanisms, physiological consequences and clinical applications.
abstract: Given the complexity of the biosynthetic machinery and the delicate chemical composition of proteins, it is remarkable that cells manage to produce and maintain normally functioning proteins under most conditions. However, it is now well known that proteins are susceptible to various non-enzymatic covalent modifications (NECM) under physiological conditions. Such modifications can be of no or little importance to the protein or they can be absolutely detrimental. Often NECM are difficult to study due to the complex and technically demanding methods required to identify many of these modifications. Thus, the role of NECM has not yet been adequately resolved but recent research has allowed a better understanding of such modifications. The present review outlines the various forms of NECM that involve covalent modifications of proteins, and discusses their relevance, biological impact and potential applications in the study of protein turnover and diagnosis of disease.
authors.affiliation: Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade 207, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark. pc@nordicbioscience.com
authors.forename: Paul A C
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cloos
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christgau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D011506:Proteins