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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding
Published on: August 22, 2016
Macromolecular crowding induces holo α-lactalbumin aggregation by converting to its apo form
Shruti Mittal1, Laishram Rajendrakumar Singh1
1Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Macromolecular crowding has been shown to have an exacerbating effect on the aggregation propensity of amyloidogenic proteins; while having an inhibitory effect on the non-amyloidogenic proteins. However, the results concerning aggregation propensity of non-amyloidogenic proteins have not been convincing due to the contrasting effect on holo-LA, which despite being a non-amyloidogenic protein was observed to aggregate under crowded conditions. In the present study, we have extensively characterized the crowding-induced holo-LA aggregates and investigated the possible mechanism responsible for the aggregation process. We discovered that macromolecular crowding reduces the calcium binding affinity of holo-LA resulting in the formation of apo-LA (the calcium-depleted form of holo-LA) leading to aggregate formation. Another finding is that calcium acts as a chaperone capable of inhibiting and dissociating crowding-induced holo-LA aggregates. The study has a direct implication to Alzheimer Disease as the results invoke a new mechanism to prevent Aβ fibrillation.
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