Abstract.
The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (β-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 ow-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.
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Received 29 November 1999; accepted 27 December 1999
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Hipkiss*, A., Brownson, C. A possible new role for the anti-ageing peptide carnosine . CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 57, 747–753 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050039
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050039