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Interactions with and Membrane Permeabilization of Brain Mitochondria by Amyloid Fibrils
Published on: September 28, 2019
Interaction with amyloid beta peptide compromises the lipid binding function of apolipoprotein E.
Shiori Tamamizu-Kato1, Jenny K Cohen, Carolyn B Drake
1Center for the Prevention of Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, 5700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Oakland, California 94609, USA.
Beta amyloid peptide (Abeta) interaction with apolipoprotein E C-terminal domain (apoE CT) impairs its cholesterol transport function. This Abeta association compromises lipoprotein binding, potentially impacting amyloid buildup and cholesterol accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is crucial for cholesterol transport in plasma and the brain.
- ApoE is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, including beta amyloid peptide (Abeta) amyloidosis.
- The C-terminal domain (CT) of apoE contains critical lipoprotein binding and self-association sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between neurotoxic oligomeric Abeta and the apoE CT domain.
- To determine if Abeta binding affects the lipoprotein binding function of apoE CT.
Main Methods:
- Site-specific fluorescence labeling of apoE CT variants with donor probes.
- Intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy-transfer (FRET) analysis to detect Abeta binding (with acceptor probe).
- Assessment of lipid binding ability of apoE CT after incubation with Abeta.
Main Results:
- Abeta binds preferentially to the class A helix region of apoE CT.
- Abeta significantly impairs the lipid binding capacity of apoE CT.
- When bound to lipid, Abeta associates with the lipid milieu rather than specific apoE CT segments.
Conclusions:
- Abeta association compromises the essential lipoprotein binding function of apoE.
- This interaction may contribute to both amyloid plaque formation and extracellular cholesterol accumulation in AD.
- Understanding this interaction is vital for developing therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
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