Amino acid sequence determinants and molecular chaperones in amyloid fibril formation

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2010 May 21;396(1):2-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.02.105.

Abstract

Amyloid consists of cross-beta-sheet fibrils and is associated with about 25 human diseases, including several neurodegenerative diseases, systemic and localized amyloidoses and type II diabetes mellitus. Amyloid-forming proteins differ in structures and sequences, and it is to a large extent unknown what makes them convert from their native conformations into amyloid. In this review, current understanding of amino acid sequence determinants and the effects of molecular chaperones on amyloid formation are discussed. Studies of the nonpolar, transmembrane surfactant protein C (SP-C) have revealed amino acid sequence features that determine its amyloid fibril formation, features that are also found in the amyloid beta-peptide in Alzheimer's disease and the prion protein. Moreover, a proprotein chaperone domain (CTC(Brichos)) that prevents amyloid-like aggregation during proSP-C biosynthesis can prevent fibril formation also of other amyloidogenic proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Amyloid / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism*
  • Protein Folding
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C / chemistry*
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C