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D-Amino acids in aged proteins: analysis and biological relevance.

Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences (2011-07-05)
Noriko Fujii, Yuichi Kaji, Norihiko Fujii
ABSTRACT

Homochirality is essential for life. L-Amino acids are exclusively used as substrates for the polymerization and formation of peptides and proteins in living systems. However, d-amino acids, which are enantiomers of L-amino acids, were recently detected in various living organisms in the form of free D-amino acids and D-amino acid residues in peptides and proteins. In particular, D-aspartyl (Asp) residues have been detected in various proteins from diverse tissues of elderly individuals. Here, we describe three important aspects of our research: (i) a method for detecting D-β-Asp at specific sites in particular proteins, (ii) a likely spontaneous mechanism by which Asp residues in proteins invert and isomerize to the D-β-form with age under physiological conditions, (iii) a discussion of factors that favor such a reaction.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
D-Aspartic acid, ReagentPlus®, 99%
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