Reflecting recent work in the Raskatov Lab

Amyloid aggregation is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease, AD, and a primary target for past and present therapeutic efforts. Recent research is making it increasingly clear that the heterogeneity of amyloid deposits, extending past the commonly targeted amyloid-β, Aβ, must be considered for successful therapy. The Raskatov Research Group recently demonstrated that amyloid-α, Aα or p3, a C-terminal peptidic fragment of Aβ, aggregates rapidly to form amyloids and can expedite the aggregation of Aβ through seeding.

In this work, reseaerchers from the Raskatov Group, advance the understanding of Aα biophysics and biology in several important ways. Group members report the first cryogenic electron microscopy, cryo-EM, structure of an Aα amyloid fibril, proving unambiguously that the peptide is fibrillogenic. They demonstrate that Aα induces Aβ to form amyloid aggregates that are less toxic than pure Aβ aggregates and use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, NMR, to provide insights into specific interactions between Aα and Aβ in solution.

This is the first evidence that Aα can coassemble with Aβ and alter its biological effects at relatively low concentrations. Based on the above, members in the Raskatov group urge researchers in the field to re-examine the significance of Aα in AD.