Covalent protein crosslinks: general detection, quantitation, and characterization via modification with diphenylborinic acid

Progressive crosslinking of proteins appears to be a general phenomenon in aging cells and tissues. Crosslinked proteins can form insoluble aggregates which become increasingly resistant to proteolysis as more crosslinks form. However, most evidence for progressive crosslinking with age is indirect, and little is known about the chemical mechanisms involved. We have therefore developed a method for detection and isolation of any type of stable covalent crosslink from protein hydrolysates which requires no prior knowledge of the molecular structure of whatever crosslink(s) may be present. It utilizes the specificity of the diphenylborinic acid reagent for alpha-amino acid groups and the chromatographic properties and uv absorbance of the crosslink derivatives. The method is demonstrated using eight different crosslinks from collagen and fibrin, and a general procedure is given for detection of any type of crosslink in a protein hydrolysate.