Citrullination
Citrullination[edit | edit source]
Citrullination, also known as deimination, is a post-translational modification of proteins where the amino acid arginine is converted into citrulline. This process is catalyzed by a family of enzymes known as peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs). Citrullination plays a significant role in various physiological processes and is implicated in several diseases.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
Citrullination involves the conversion of the positively charged guanidinium group of arginine into a neutral urea group, resulting in the formation of citrulline. This modification can alter the structure and function of proteins, affecting their interaction with other molecules and their stability.
Biological Significance[edit | edit source]
Citrullination is involved in the regulation of gene expression, the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and the modulation of the immune response. It is crucial in the development and function of the central nervous system and the skin.
Role in Disease[edit | edit source]
Citrullination is associated with several autoimmune diseases, most notably rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, the immune system produces autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins, known as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), which are used as a diagnostic marker for the disease.
Enzymes Involved[edit | edit source]
The conversion of arginine to citrulline is catalyzed by the peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) family of enzymes. There are five known PAD isozymes in humans: PAD1, PAD2, PAD3, PAD4, and PAD6, each with distinct tissue distributions and substrate specificities.
Clinical Implications[edit | edit source]
The detection of citrullinated proteins and ACPAs is important in the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis. Research is ongoing to understand the role of citrullination in other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and certain types of cancer.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
