On the physiological/pathological link between Aβ peptide, cholesterol, calcium ions and membrane deformation: A molecular dynamics study

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016 Jun;1858(6):1380-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.03.018. Epub 2016 Mar 19.

Abstract

The dynamic interplay between cholesterol, asymmetrically (at physiological condition) or symmetrically (hallmark of aging) distributed in membrane, and β amyloid peptides is investigated by a computational approach. The drawn overall picture, starting from the very appearance of β amyloid peptides and going through their self-assembling into potentially toxic oligomeric species, reinforces some of the experimental and theoretical shots recently reported in literature, while new important molecular hints on the physiological role played by the β amyloid peptide are proposed. The so dreaded formation of amyloid pores selective for the passage of calcium ions could in fact explain their physiological concomitant recruitment in the regulation of synaptic plasticity.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid peptide aggregation; Membrane; Molecular dynamics simulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / physiology*
  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cholesterol / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Cholesterol
  • Calcium