Ammonia loss from L-asparaginyls is a nonenzymatic reaction spontaneously occurring in all proteins and eventually resulting in damaging isoaspartate residues that hamper protein function and induce proteinopathy related to aging. Here, we discuss theoretical considerations supporting the possibility of a full repair reaction and present the first experimental evidence of its existence. If confirmed, the true repair of L-asparaginyl deamidation could open new avenues for preventing aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords: anti-aging; deamidation; isoaspartate; mass spectrometry; reverse reaction.