Rippled Beta-Sheets and Related Materials and Methods

Background

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is a protein that is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Aβ oligomers aggregate to form amyloid plaques, which are found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques have high polydispersity; they vary in shape and size. Previously, researchers at UC Santa Cruz demonstrated that using a racemic mixture of Aβ promoted fibril formation, an aggregation that is less neurotoxic than plaques of high polydispersity. Furthermore, these racemic counterparts form rippled β-sheets.

Technology Description

This patent includes methods of forming rippled β-sheets using racemic mixtures of small segments of Aβ, as well as using racemic mixtures of small segments of amylin, the aggregating toxic peptide of type II diabetes. Atomic-resolution crystallographic studies showed that these structures formed antiparallel rippled β-sheets, suggesting that the tendency for racemic peptides to form rippled β-sheets in three-dimensional systems is greater than previously thought. These methods provide a structural basis for targeting intrinsically disordered proteins.

Applications

• Alzheimer's research
• diabetes research
• drug development

Advantages

Intellectual Property Information

Patent Pending

Related Materials

• Racemic Peptides from Amyloid ß and Amylin Form Rippled ß-Sheets Rather Than Pleated ß-Sheets - 11/16/2023