Tiny Difference Makes Alzheimer’s Protein Even More Damaging

Researchers gain first insights into particularly aggressive form of amyloid beta protein

Jülich 2 May 2017 – Aggregations in the brain of the body’s own amyloid beta (Aβ) protein are viewed as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. However, little is known up until now about a particularly aggressive variant of the protein, pyroglutamate Aβ, which aggregates extremely quickly, is more resistant to degradation processes, and has an even more toxic effect on brain cells. Scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich have now for the first time gained insights into the effect that minor differences in the structure of this molecule have and how they influence aggregation. Their findings have been published in the current issue of Biophysical Journal.

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