Poly-N-methylated amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) C-terminal fragments reduce Abeta toxicity in vitro and in Drosophila melanogaster

J Med Chem. 2009 Dec 24;52(24):8002-9. doi: 10.1021/jm901092h.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), an age related neurodegenerative disorder, threatens to become a major health-economic problem. Assembly of 40- or 42-residue amyloid beta-peptides (Abeta) into neurotoxic oligo-/polymeric beta-sheet structures is an important pathogenic feature in AD, thus, inhibition of this process has been explored to prevent or treat AD. The C-terminal part plays an important role in Abeta aggregation, but most Abeta aggregation inhibitors have targeted the central region around residues 16-23. Herein, we synthesized hexapeptides with varying extents of N-methylation based on residues 32-37 of Abeta, to target its C-terminal region. We measured the peptides' abilities to retard beta-sheet and fibril formation of Abeta and to reduce Abeta neurotoxicity. A penta-N-methylated peptide was more efficient than peptides with 0, 2, or 3 N-methyl groups. This penta-N-methylated peptide moreover increased life span and locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster flies overexpressing human Abeta(1-42).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / drug effects*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Locomotion / drug effects
  • Longevity / drug effects
  • Methylation
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Oligopeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • PC12 Cells
  • Peptide Fragments / chemical synthesis
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Rats

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-40)
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)