Membrane-Induced Dichotomous Conformation of Amyloid β with the Disordered N-Terminal Segment Followed by the Stable C-Terminal β Structure.

Abstract

Various neurodegenerative disorders are ascribed to pathogenic molecular processes involving conformational transitions of amyloidogenic proteins into toxic aggregates characterized by their β structures. Accumulating evidence indicates that neuronal cell membranes provide platforms for such conformational transitions of pathogenic proteins as best exemplified by amyloid β (Aβ). Therefore, membrane-bound Aβ species can be promising targets for the development of novel drugs for Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has elucidated the membrane-induced conformation of Aβ, in which the disordered N-terminal segment is followed by the stable C-terminal β strand. The data provides an insight into the molecular processes of the conformational transition of Aβ coupled with its assembly into parallel β structures.