Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: In Silico Creation and Impact of Carbonylated Amino Acids on Protein Structure and Function
Published on: April 26, 2024
Carbamylation is a competitor of glycation for protein modification in vivo
C Nicolas1, S Jaisson2, L Gorisse3
1University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, laboratory of biochemistry and molecular biology, CNRS/URCA UMR no. 7369 MEDyC, faculté de médecine, 51, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51095 Reims, France; University hospital of Reims, department of paediatrics (nephrology unit), 51095 Reims, France.
Aim:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus are two diseases that accelerate protein molecular ageing through carbamylation and glycation reactions, characterized by the binding of urea-derived isocyanic acid and of sugars on proteins, respectively. These two reactions target the same protein amino groups and, thus, compete with each other. Such competition may arise especially in diabetic patients with nephropathy. This study aimed to evaluate their potential competitive effects in vitro and under conditions reproducing CKD and/or diabetes in vivo.
Methods:
Albumin was incubated in vitro with glucose, urea or cyanate. Carbamylation in vivo was enhanced in normal and diabetic (db/db) mice by either subtotal nephrectomy or cyanate consumption. Homocitrulline, carbamylated haemoglobin and furosine were measured by LC-MS/MS, fructosamine by colorimetric assay and HbA1c by immunological assay.
Results:
Reciprocal inhibition between carbamylation and glycation was observed during albumin incubations in vitro. Besides, 5 weeks after induction of CKD in vivo, plasma homocitrulline concentrations were similar in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice, whereas fructosamine and HbA1c were decreased (-23% and -42%, respectively) in diabetic mice with CKD compared with only diabetic ones. Fructosamine and HbA1c were also decreased in cyanate-spiked water-drinking mice compared with plain water-drinking diabetic mice.
Conclusion:
Carbamylation competes with glycation in vivo, especially under conditions of high glycation. Thus, the classic markers of glycaemic control should be interpreted with caution in diabetic patients with CKD because of this competitive effect.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Proteoglycans
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Protein Modifications in the RER
Broadly, these modifications can be categorized into four main categories — glycosylation, formation of disulfide bonds, assembly of protein subunits, and specific proteolytic cleavages like removal of signal...

