Biosynthesis of Carnosine and Related Dipeptides in Vertebrates.
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and its methylated derivatives: anserine (β-alanyl-Nπ- methyl-L-histidine) and balenine (β-alanyl-Nτ-methyl-L-histidine) are abundant constituents of excitable tissues of vertebrates. While carnosine and anserine are present at high concentrations and in variable proportions in skeletal muscle and brain of most vertebrates, balenine appears to be rather more abundant in marine mammals and certain reptilian species. Since the discovery of these compounds at the beginning of 20th century, numerous studies have been devoted to identification of the biochemical and physiological properties of carnosine and related dipeptides. These led to the discovery of the pHbuffering, metal-chelation and antioxidant, capabilities of carnosine and anserine, although no definitive ideas concerning their physiological role has yet been formulated. Only recently the molecular identities of the enzymes catalyzing synthesis of carnosine (carnosine synthase, EC 6.3.2.11) and anserine (carnosine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.22) have been elucidated, which has given a new insight into their metabolism in vertebrates. These findings have opened new research areas and provide authentic opportunities for understanding the biological function of these "enigmatic" dipeptides. This review aims to summarize recent advances in our knowledge concerning enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of carnosine and related dipeptides and to evaluate their importance in vertebrate physiology.
['Kwiatkowski|Sebastian|S|', 'Kiersztan|Anna|A|', 'Drozak|Jakub|J|']
D000818:Animals D000861:Anserine D000975:Antioxidants D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways D002336:Carnosine D004151:Dipeptides D009928:Organ Specificity D010453:Peptide Synthases D011487:Protein Conformation D011496:Protein Methyltransferases D015398:Signal Transduction D014714:Vertebrates
biosynthesis carnosine Anserine balenine carnosine synthase carnosine N-methyltransferase CARNMT1 CARNS1 HNMT-like UPF0586 homocarnosine.