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Review
. 2000;2(4):249-51.
doi: 10.1186/ar95. Epub 2000 May 24.

Citrullination: a small change for a protein with great consequences for rheumatoid arthritis

W J van Venrooij  1 , G J Pruijn
Affiliations
Review

Citrullination: a small change for a protein with great consequences for rheumatoid arthritis

W J van Venrooij et al. Arthritis Res. 2000.

Abstract

A new autoantibody activity, which is almost 100% specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has been found. The essential part of the B-cell epitope is a modified form of arginine (ie citrulline). The conversion of protein-contained arginine to citrulline is an enzymatic process that is carried out by peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD), an enzyme that appears to be hormonally controlled. Because of its remarkable specificity, citrullination and related processes might open new possibilities for studying the aetiology of RA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The enzymatic conversion of protein-contained arginine to citrulline.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

References

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