Post-Translational Oxidation Modifications of Blood Plasma Proteins of Cosmonauts after a Long-term Flight: Part I

Abstract

The balance of production and elimination of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is disturbed in the human body during a space flight. Oxidative stress is a common pathogenetic link in the violation of the functions and structure of various body tissues. The main cellular components, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, undergo oxidative damage. In this study, proteomic methods were used to analyze the frequency of detection of oxidative post-translational modifications of blood plasma proteins obtained from Russian participants in International Space Station (ISS) flights. The effect of the oxidative modification detected after space flight on the functional features of protein groups that regulate the hemostasis and complement activation cascade is examined. According to published data, the increase in oxidative post-translational modifications of proteins in the hemostasis system affects not only the protein structure but also the fibrin formation, as well as its viscoelastic and biochemical properties. Oxygenation of proteins with oxidation-sensitive methionine residues, including apolipoprotein A-I, thrombomodulin, and von Willebrand factor, increases the risk of developing vascular diseases and thrombosis. Oxidized phospholipids are deposited in the vessel wall, potentiating atherosclerotic changes. It was shown that the oxidative modification of the key protein, clusterin, changed the regulation of the complement cascade, as well as the association of the immune system with the coagulation cascade.