Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Analysis of β-Amyloid-induced Abnormalities on Fibrin Clot Structure by Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: November 30, 2018
Energy landscape theory for Alzheimer's amyloid beta-peptide fibril elongation
1Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Recent experiments on the kinetics of deposition and fibril elongation of the Alzheimer's beta-amyloid peptide on preexisting fibrils are analyzed. A mechanism is developed based on the dock-and-lock scheme recently proposed by Maggio and coworkers to organize their experimental observations of the kinetics of deposition of beta-peptide on preexisting amyloid fibrils and deposits. Our mechanism includes channels for (1) a one-step prion-like direct deposition on fibrils of activated monomeric peptide in solution, and (2) a two-step deposition of unactivated peptide on fibrils and subsequent reorganization of the peptide-fibril complex. In this way, the mechanism and implied "energy landscape" unify a number of schemes proposed to describe the process of fibril elongation. This beta-amyloid landscape mechanism (beta ALM) is found to be in good agreement with existing experimental data. A number of experimental tests of the mechanism are proposed. The mechanism leads to a clear definition of overall equilibrium or rate constants in terms of the energetics of the elementary underlying processes. Analysis of existing experimental data suggests that fibril elongation occurs through a two-step mechanism of nonspecific peptide absorption and reorganization. The mechanism predicts a turnover in the rate of fibril elongation as a function of temperature and denaturant concentration. Proteins 2001;42:217-229.
Related Concept Videos
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Dementia l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

