Folding and membrane insertion of amyloid-beta (25-35) peptide and its mutants: implications for aggregation and neurotoxicity

Proteins. 2010 Jun;78(8):1909-25. doi: 10.1002/prot.22705.

Abstract

The mechanisms of interfacial folding and membrane insertion of the Alzheimer's amyloid-beta fragment Abeta(25-35) and its less toxic mutant, N27A-Abeta(25-35) and more toxic mutant, M35A-Abeta(25-35), are investigated using replica-exchange molecular dynamics in an implicit water-membrane environment. This study simulates the processes of interfacial folding and membrane insertion in a spontaneous fashion to identify their general mechanisms. Abeta(25-35) and N27A-Abeta(25-35) peptides share similar mechanisms: the peptides are first located in the membrane hydrophilic region where their C-terminal residues form helical structures. The peptides attempt to insert themselves into the membrane hydrophobic region using the C-terminal or central hydrophobic residues. A small portion of peptides can successfully enter the membrane's hydrophobic core, led by their C-terminal residues, through the formation of continuous helical structures. No detectable amount of M35A-Abeta(25-35) peptides appeared to enter the membrane's hydrophobic core. The three studied peptides share a similar helical structure for their C-terminal five residues, and these residues mainly buried within the membrane's hydrophobic region. In contrast, their N-terminal properties are markedly different. With respect to the Abeta(25-35), the N27A-Abeta(25-35) forms a more structured helix and is buried deeper within the membrane, which may result in a lower degree of aggregation and a lower neurotoxicity; in contrast, the less structured and more water-exposed M35A-Abeta(25-35) is prone to aggregation and has a higher neurotoxicity. Understanding the mechanisms of Abeta peptide interfacial folding and membrane insertion will provide new insights into the mechanisms of neurodegradation and may give structure-based clues for rational drug design preventing amyloid associated diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / toxicity*
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutant Proteins / chemistry*
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutant Proteins / toxicity
  • Neurotoxins / chemistry
  • Neurotoxins / metabolism
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Peptides / toxicity*
  • Protein Folding / drug effects*
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protons
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Neurotoxins
  • Peptides
  • Protons
  • Water