Half a century of amyloids: past, present and future

Abstract

<p>Amyloid diseases are global epidemics with profound health, social and economic implications and yet remain without a cure.</p>

Alpha helical surfactant-like peptides self-assemble into pH-dependent nanostructures

“…[39][40][41][42][43][44] Diphenylalanine nanotube structures (with a b-sheet like packing within bilayer walls) have been widely studied, and shown to possess a remarkable range of mechanical, optoelectronic and quantum properties. [45][46][47][48][49][50] We have recently reported a novel peptide nanotube architecture, based on a-helical antiparallel peptide dimers of the designed surfactant-like peptide (SLP) R 3 L 12 . 51 These form nanotubes in acidic aqueous solution, in which the peptide dimers lie perpendicular to the tube walls in a so-called ''cross-a'' nanotube architecture.…”

The Membrane Axis of Alzheimer's Nanomedicine

“…As these processes are critical to the AD pathology, understanding Aβ–membrane interaction should directly benefit the development of new AD therapeutics. [ 62 ]…”

“…pathology, understanding Aβ-membrane interaction should directly benefit the development of new AD therapeutics. [62] Accordingly, various types of membrane models with controlled characteristics, bilayer components, thickness, and fluidity, have been designed to mimic the plasma membrane and screen their interactions with Aβ ( Table 1). All Aβ species displayed a certain level of affinity for the anionic membrane, [63] with the oligomers displaying a greater membrane affinity than the monomers or fibrils.…”

Apoferritin Amyloid-Fibril Directed the In Situ Assembly and/or Synthesis of Optical and Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…Amyloids are insoluble aggregates formed in vivo from misfolded proteins [ 33 ] and are gaining relevance as biomaterial templates with potential in a number of applications, such as rapid diagnostic tools [ 34 , 35 ], cell culture substrates [ 36 ], drug delivery systems [ 37 ], or therapeutics [ 38 ], thanks to their combination of physical properties with biological compatibility [ 39 ]. For example, the AuNPs–β-lactoglobulin amyloid fibril bioconjugate, was shown to enhance the transport of iron NPs in living cells [ 40 ].…”