Characterisation of a Novel AGE-Epitope Derived from Lysine and 3-Deoxyglucosone

Dicarbonyl compounds are supposed to be reactive intermediates in the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins. A process that eventually could lead to the development of late diabetic complications. Glyoxal lysine dimer (GOLD) and methylglyoxal lysine dimer (MOLD) have previously been described as such reactive dicarbonyls. Here a new compound 3-deoxyglucosone lysine dimer (DOLD), a cross-link resulting from the reaction between hippuryl-lysine and 3-deoxyglucosone, has been isolated by HPLC and the structure determined by mass spectrometry and NMR.