Binding sites for luminescent amyloid biomarkers from non-biased molecular dynamics simulations

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Mar 25;54(24):3030-3033. doi: 10.1039/c8cc00105g. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Abstract

A very stable binding site for the interaction between a pentameric oligothiophene and an amyloid-β(1-42) fibril has been identified by means of non-biased molecular dynamics simulations. In this site, the probe is locked in an all-trans conformation with a Coulombic binding energy of 1200 kJ mol-1 due to the interactions between the anionic carboxyl groups of the probe and the cationic ε-amino groups in the lysine side chain. Upon binding, the conformationally restricted probes show a pronounced increase in molecular planarity. This is in line with the observed changes in luminescence properties that serve as the foundation for their use as biomarkers.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Binding Sites
  • Biomarkers / chemistry
  • Luminescence*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*

Substances

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