Homocitrullinated aldolase A peptide (H-ALDOA peptide)

Homocitrullinated aldolase A peptide is a neoantigen derived from the glycolytic enzyme aldolase A through a post-translational modification known as carbamylation. This process occurs when lysine residues are converted to homocitrulline, a reaction typically driven by elevated levels of cyanate during periods of inflammation or metabolic stress within the tumor microenvironment (Brentville et al., 2020). While the native aldolase A protein is essential for the conversion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, its homocitrullinated form is recognized as foreign by the immune system (UniProt P04075). This specificity makes it a potent target for cancer immunotherapies, such as the Modi-1 vaccine, which is designed to stimulate a Th1-mediated CD4+ T-cell response against cancer cells presenting these modified peptides (Scancell, 2023). Beyond oncology, homocitrullinated proteins are significant in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, where they serve as targets for anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies (Shi et al., 2011). Therapeutic targeting of this peptide aims to leverage the body's cellular immune response to selectively eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues.

Other names

Carbamylated aldolase A peptideHomocitrullinated ALDOACarbamylated ALDOAH-ALDOA peptide

Induction of a CD4+ T-cell mediated immune response against cells presenting homocitrullinated neoantigens via MHC class II molecules.