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Updated: May 11, 2026

Rapid Generation of Amyloid from Native Proteins In vitro
05:48

Rapid Generation of Amyloid from Native Proteins In vitro

Published on: December 6, 2013

Beta-2 microglobulin is an amyloidogenic protein in man

P D Gorevic, T T Casey, W J Stone

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |December 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Amyloid-like fibrils were found in a patient undergoing dialysis. These fibrils are composed of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), a serum protein, suggesting B2M can form amyloid structures in disease.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Pathology
    • Nephrology

    Background:

    • Amyloidosis is characterized by protein misfolding and fibril formation.
    • Chronic kidney disease and dialysis are associated with various complications.

    Observation:

    • Curvilinear amyloid-like fibrils were isolated from a patient with bone and joint issues related to chronic dialysis.
    • Gel filtration and Edman degradation were used to analyze the fibril composition.

    Findings:

    • The fibrils were found to be composed of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M).
    • Subunit fractions of 24,000 and 12,000 mol wt were identified, with the smaller fraction containing a dimer.
    • Edman degradation confirmed the amino-terminal sequence of B2M in the subunit fractions.

    Implications:

    • Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) can form amyloid fibrils in pathological conditions.
    • This finding expands the understanding of amyloidosis and its potential triggers.
    • Low molecular weight serum proteins with beta-pleated sheet structures may be prone to fibril formation.

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