Surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing platform for detecting amyloid-β peptide interaction with an aggregation inhibitor

Appl Opt. 2020 Sep 1;59(25):7490-7495. doi: 10.1364/AO.399307.

Abstract

Soluble, small amyloid-β oligomers (AβO) are recognized as significant contributors to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although drugs for treating AD symptoms have been approved, no therapy targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) capable of modifying the course of the disease is available. In an effort to develop a label-free method for screening new anti-AD therapeutic agents, we show the use of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate for detecting the interactions between Aβ peptides and spin-labeled fluorine (SLF), a peptide aggregation inhibitor. Changes in the peak positions and intensity ratios of two spectral peaks near 1600cm-1 and 2900cm-1 can be used to monitor the molecular interactions between SLF and Aβ. This study demonstrates the potential of SERS spectroscopy for rapidly screening and identifying new anti-Aβ therapeutic agents.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Fluorine / chemistry
  • Fluorine / metabolism*
  • Protein Aggregates / drug effects*
  • Protein Aggregation, Pathological / metabolism
  • Protein Aggregation, Pathological / prevention & control*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman*
  • Spin Labels

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Spin Labels
  • Fluorine