Phosphorylated glyoxalase I and its use

Abstract

The present invention relates to a phosphorylated form of mammalian glyoxalase I. The present invention relates further to the use of phosphorylated mammalian glyoxalase I to modulate MG-modification of proteins (AGE formation) and consequent cell death, especially upon stress such as oxidative stress, or upon TNF treatment.

1 .- 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A process for modulating methylglyoxal-modification of proteins in a cell, said process comprising: 
 contacting the cell with a means for phosphorylating a glyoxalase I associated with the cell.    
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the means for phosphorylating a glyoxalase I is selected from the group consisting of TNF, PKA, a phosphorylation mutant of glyoxalase I, and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the means for phosphorylating a glyoxalase I is TNF.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the glyoxalase I is mammalian glyoxalase I.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the glyoxalase I comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the modulation of the methylglyoxal-modification of proteins occurs in a cell.  
     
     
         18 . (canceled)