Phosphorylation modifies the molecular stability of β-amyloid deposits

Nat Commun. 2016 Apr 13:7:11359. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11359.

Abstract

Protein aggregation plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases. A key feature of protein aggregates is their ubiquitous modification by phosphorylation. Little is known, however, about the molecular consequences of phosphorylation of protein aggregates. Here we show that phosphorylation of β-amyloid at serine 8 increases the stability of its pathogenic aggregates against high-pressure and SDS-induced dissociation. We further demonstrate that phosphorylation results in an elevated number of hydrogen bonds at the N terminus of β-amyloid, the region that is critically regulated by a variety of post-translational modifications. Because of the increased lifetime of phosphorylated β-amyloid aggregates, phosphorylation can promote the spreading of β-amyloid in Alzheimer pathogenesis. Our study suggests that regulation of the molecular stability of protein aggregates by post-translational modifications is a crucial factor for disease progression in the brain.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Pressure
  • Protein Aggregates / drug effects
  • Protein Stability
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / pharmacology
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Phosphoserine
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate