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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Assaying β-amyloid Toxicity using a Transgenic C. elegans Model
Published on: October 9, 2010
Inhibition of beta-amyloid toxicity by short peptides containing N-methyl amino acids
M Cruz1, J M Tusell, D Grillo-Bosch
1Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona-UB, Josep Samitier 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Single N-methyl amino acid-containing peptides related to the central hydrophobic region beta16-20 (Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe) of the beta-amyloid protein are able to reduce the cytotoxicity of natural beta1-42 in PC12 cell cultures. N-methyl phenylalanine analogs yield statistically significant increments in cell viability (Student's t-test < 0.01%) and are nontoxic in the same assay. These promising results indicate that these peptide molecules could be a starting point for the development of potential therapeutic compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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