Age-associated, oxidatively modified proteins: A critical evaluation

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in oxidative modifications of proteins, in many cases represented as carbonyls, which can lead to a variety of diseases and the age-associated decline of physiological functions. Considerable progress, as well as controversy, about oxidatively modified proteins and aging has unfolded in the last few years. In this article we critically evaluate changes in protein carbonyl content as a marker of the oxidative stress associated with age and other relevant issues on the degradation of oxidatively modified proteins.