Conformational evolution of polymorphic amyloid assemblies

Abstract

The morphological diversity of amyloid assemblies has complicated the development of disease therapies and the design of novel biomaterials for decades. Here we review the conformational evolution of amyloids from the initial liquid-liquid phase separation into the oligomeric particle phase to the nucleation of the more ordered assembly phases. With mounting evidence that the assemblies emerging from the oligomeric phases may not be stable in solution and undergo further structural transitions, we propose the concept of conformational evolution, where mutations may occur at the ends or on the surface of the pre-existing fibers and different morphologies are under selection throughout the assembly process.