Chemical biology of homocysteine thiolactone and related metabolites

Adv Clin Chem. 2011:55:81-103. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-387042-1.00005-8.

Abstract

Protein-related homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism produces Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, and N epsilon-homocysteinyl-lysine (N epsilon-Hcy-Lys). Hcy-thiolactone is generated in an error-editing reaction in protein biosynthesis when Hcy is erroneously selected in place of methionine by methionyl-tRNA synthetase. Hcy-thiolactone, an intramolecular thioester, is chemically reactive and forms isopeptide bonds with protein lysine residues in a process called N-homocysteinylation, which impairs or alters the protein's biological function. The resulting protein damage is exacerbated by a thiyl radical-mediated oxidation. N-Hcy-proteins undergo structural changes leading to aggregation and amyloid formation. These structural changes generate proteins, which are toxic and which induce an autoimmune response. Proteolytic degradation of N-Hcy-proteins generates N epsilon-Hcy-Lys. Levels of Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, and N epsilon-Hcy-Lys increase under pathological conditions in humans and mice and have been linked to cardiovascular and brain disorders. This chapter reviews fundamental biological chemistry of Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, and N epsilon-Hcy-Lys and discusses their clinical significance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / biosynthesis*
  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / metabolism*
  • Brain Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dipeptides / blood
  • Homocysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homocysteine / analysis
  • Homocysteine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Methionine / metabolism
  • Methionine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Proteolysis

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Dipeptides
  • N(epsilon)-homocysteinyl-lysine
  • Proteins
  • Homocysteine
  • Methionine
  • homocysteine thiolactone
  • Methionine-tRNA Ligase