Lipoylated Peptides and Proteins

Lipoic acid is a heterocyclic sulfur-containing derivative of octanoic acid that is characterized by a 1,2-dithiolane ring. Found in nature as an essential protein cofactor, lipoic acid is implicated in cellular metabolic reactions. In particular, lipoylation is an essential posttranslational modification involved in cellular energetic metabolism performed by mitochondria. In this chapter, we highlight the different pathways to obtain lipoylated peptides and proteins, and the antioxidant properties of lipoic acid analogs, including their therapeutic potential in fields such as autoimmunity.