Abstract
Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), particularly in long-lived extracellular matrix proteins, has been implicated in pathogenesis of diabetic complications and in aging. Knowledge about specific locations of AGEs and their precursors within protein primary structure is critical for understanding their physiological and pathophysiological impact. However, the information on specific AGE sites is lacking. Here, we identified sequence positions of four major AGEs, carboxymethyllysine, carboxyethyllysine, 5-hydro-5-methyl imidazolone, and 5-hydro-imidazolone, and an AGE precursor fructosyllysine within the triple helical region of collagen I from cortical bone of human femurs. The presented map provides a basis for site-specific quantitation of AGEs and other non-enzymatic post-translational modifications and identification of those sites affected by aging, diabetes, and other diseases such as osteoporosis; it can also help in guiding future studies of AGE impact on structure and function of collagen I in bone.