Influence of Au nanoparticles on the aggregation of amyloid-β-(25-35) peptides

Nanoscale. 2013 Nov 7;5(21):10397-403. doi: 10.1039/c3nr02973e. Epub 2013 Sep 12.

Abstract

The influence of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) on the aggregation of amyloid-β-(25-35) peptides (Aβ25-35) is investigated by atomic force microscopy and Thioflavin T fluorescence measurements. It is found that, without Au NPs, the Aβ25-35 peptides aggregate gradually from monomers and oligomers to long fibrils with the incubation time. In contrast, short protofibrils are formed quickly after Au NPs are added to the Aβ25-35 solution, which can be further aggregated to form short fibril bundles or even bundle conjunctions. To reveal the origin of Au NPs on the aggregation of Aβ25-35, electrostatic force microscopy and scanning Kelvin microscopy are employed to investigate the electrical properties of the Aβ25-35 fibrils with and without Au NPs. Due to the significant difference of the electrical properties between the Aβ25-35 fibrils and Au NPs, the locations of Au NPs inside the Aβ25-35 fibril bundles can be revealed and hence a possible influence mechanism of Au NPs on the aggregation of Aβ25-35 is suggested.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Static Electricity
  • Thiazoles / chemistry

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Thiazoles
  • amyloid beta-protein (25-35)
  • thioflavin T
  • Gold