The fibrillization and deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) protofibrils are one of the important factors leading to Alzheimer's disease. Molecular dynamics simulations can offer information on intermolecular interaction mechanisms between Aβ protofibrils and Aβ fibrillization inhibitors. Here, in this work, we explore the early molecular mechanisms of (−)-epigallocatechin-3gallate (EGCG) and apigenin on disrupting Aβ42 protofibrils based on molecular simulations. The binding modes of EGCG and apigenin with the Aβ42 protofibril are obtained. Furthermore, we compare the behavioral mechanisms of EGCG and apigenin on disturbing the Aβ42 protofibril. Both EGCG and apigenin are able to decrease the proportion of the β-sheet and bend structures of the Aβ42 protofibril while inducing random coil structures. The results of hydrogen bonds and D23-K28 salt bridges illustrate that EGCG and apigenin have the ability of destabilizing the Aβ42 protofibril. Meanwhile, the van der Waals interactions between the EGCG and Aβ42 protofibril are shown to be larger than that of apigenin with the Aβ42 protofibril, but the electrostatic interactions between apigenin and the Aβ42 protofibril are dominant in the binding affinity. Our findings may help in designing effective drug candidates for disordering the Aβ protofibril and impeding Aβ fibrillization.
The misfolding and
self-assembly of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides
are one of the most important factors contributing to Alzheimer’s
disease (AD). This study aims to reveal the inhibition mechanisms
of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and genistein on the
conformational changes of Aβ42 peptides by using molecular docking
and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results indicate that
both EGCG and genistein have inhibitory effects on the conformational
transition of Aβ42 peptide. EGCG and genistein reduce the ratio
of β-sheet secondary structures of Aβ42 peptide while
inducing random coil structures. In terms of hydrophobic interactions
in the central hydrophobic core of Aβ42 peptide, the binding
affinities of EGCG are significantly larger in comparison with that
of genistein. Our findings illustrate the inhibition mechanisms of
EGCG and genistein on the Aβ42 peptides and prove that EGCG
is a very promising inhibitor in impeding the conformational change
of Aβ42 peptide.
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