title: Protein sulfhydryl group oxidation and mixed-disulfide modifications in stable and unstable human carotid plaques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oxidative stress has been implicated in the outcome of atherosclerotic plaques. However, at present, no data are available neither on the degree of plaque protein sulfhydryl groups oxidation nor on its relationship with plaque vulnerability. We investigated the entity of protein-SH oxidative modifications, focusing on low molecular weight thiols adduction, in human carotid plaque extracts in relation to plaque stability/instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plaque stability/instability was histologically assessed. The extent of protein-SH oxidative modifications was established by a differential proteomic approach on fluorescein-5-maleimide-labeled plaque extracts and corresponding plasma samples from 48 endarterectomized patients. The analysis on protein thiolation was performed by capillary zone electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a higher protein-SH oxidation of both plasma-derived and topically expressed proteins in unstable plaques, partly due to higher levels of S-thiolation. Conversely, in plasma, none of the investigated parameters discriminated among patients with stable and unstable plaques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest the presence of a more pronounced oxidative environment in unstable plaques. Identifying specific oxidative modifications and understanding their effects on protein function could provide further insight into the relevance of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Unviversità di Sassari, Via Muroni 25, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Antonio Junior
authors: AJ
authors: Lepedda
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Zinellu
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Nieddu
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Zinellu
authors: Ciriaco
authors: C
authors: Carru
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Spirito
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Guarino
authors: Pierina
authors: P
authors: De Muro
authors: Marilena
authors: M
authors: Formato
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D040901:Proteomics; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds