Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2184912 Journal of Molecular Biology 2012 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

Oligomeric intermediates are non-fibrillar polypeptide assemblies that occur during amyloid fibril formation and that are thought to underlie the aetiology of amyloid diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Focusing primarily on the oligomeric states formed from Alzheimer's disease β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, this review will make references to other polypeptide systems, highlighting common principles or sequence-specific differences. The covered topics include the structural properties and polymorphism of oligomers, the biophysical mechanism of peptide self-assembly and its role for pathogenicity in amyloid disease. Oligomer-dependent toxicity mechanisms will be explained along with recently emerging possibilities of interference.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (142 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Structural properties and polymorphism of oligomers. ► Biophysical mechanism of peptide self-assembly. ► Role of oligomers for pathogenicity in amyloid disease. ► Oligomer-dependent toxicity mechanisms. ► Possibilities of interference with oligomer activity or formation.

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Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Cell Biology
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