"Native-like aggregation" of the acylphosphatase from Sulfolobus solfataricus and its biological implications

FEBS Lett. 2009 Aug 20;583(16):2630-8. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.07.013. Epub 2009 Jul 16.

Abstract

Studies in vitro show that globular proteins can experience the formation of native-like conformational states able to self-assemble with no need of transitions across the energy barrier for unfolding, and that such processes can lead eventually to the formation of amyloid-like species. Circumstantial evidence collected in vivo suggests that aggregation of native-like states can be a concrete possibility for living organisms and thus more relevant than previously thought. In this review we summarize the key observations collected on the "native-like aggregation" of the acylphosphatase from Sulfolobus solfataricus, a protein that has allowed the direct monitoring and analysis of native-like aggregates for its propensity to form rapidly native-like aggregates and their slow conversion into amyloid-like aggregates.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / chemistry*
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / drug effects
  • Acylphosphatase
  • Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Amyloid / drug effects
  • Enzyme Stability / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Sulfolobus solfataricus / enzymology*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Ligands
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases