Abstract

Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is a natural peptide of about 39-42 amino acids, which can aggregate and accumulate into senile plaques, one of the main pathological features in Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is extensive evidence that neurodegenerative pathologies, such as AD, are associated with protein misfolding and environmental factors, such as heavy metals, that are known to pollute the environment and can be taken up by the organism in food. They can accumulate within organs and tissues, with sometimes dramatic effects. There is increasing evidence that heavy metals can interact with amyloid beta peptides, contributing to the neurodegenerative events of AD. We investigated the effects of Cd++, an environmental contaminant on AbetaP1-42 aggregation, incorporation and channel formation into planar lipid membranes made up of phosphatidylcholine: cholesterol (70:30, w/w). Our results suggest that Cd++ interferes both with channels already incorporated into membranes and with peptides in solution. These findings provide important clues to the effect of this environmental contaminant on AbetaP1-42 that similarly to other metal ions, such as copper, zinc, aluminium and iron, can lead to abnormal interactions with proteins, contributing to cell damage.

Autore Pugliese

• Meleleo Daniela Addolorata

Tutti gli autori

• MELELEO D.A.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2011

ISSN

2141-226X

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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