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Cell biology

Protein crosslinks

DEProtein-Quervernetzungen

Protein crosslinks are covalent bonds that join two protein molecules or different segments of the same protein. They can form enzymatically, as with collagen maturation, or non-enzymatically through oxidation and glycation by sugars and reactive aldehydes. Pathological crosslinks accumulate in long-lived structural proteins like collagen, elastin, and crystallins, stiffening tissues. This contributes to vascular rigidity, skin ageing, cataracts, and reduced organ elasticity.

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Sources

  1. Goldin A, Beckman JA, Schmidt AM, Creager MA. (2006). Advanced glycation end products: sparking the development of diabetic vascular injury. *Circulation*doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.621854
  2. Krisko A, Radman M. (2019). Protein damage, ageing and age-related diseases. *Open Biology*doi:10.1098/rsob.180249