Protein modification in aging: an update.

ABSTRACT

Post-translational modifications of proteins are an important biologic tool for the production of various protein species from a single gene, which may vary in conformation, function, biologic half-life and complex formation with other proteins. The present minireview summarizes a few selected research observations important for the role of post-translational modifications in biologic aging and age-related diseases, including farnesylation, methylglyoxal-derivatization, transglutaminase pathways and the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine and 2-oxo-histidine in vivo.