AB protein self-assembles into 4 or 8 copies adopting an arrangement allowing passage of water and ions (in red) (IMAGE)

Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)

AB protein self-assembles into 4 or 8 copies adopting an arrangement allowing passage of water and ions (in red)

Caption

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is inserted into the cell membrane of neurons. After sequential cleavage by β- and ?-secretases, the Aβ protein (in green) is released. The membrane oligomers are formed by 4 or 8 copies of the Aβ protein. The physicochemical properties of the edges of these oligomers form a path for passage of water and ions (in red) through the membrane, thus disrupting ion cell homeostasis.

Credit

Benjamin Bardiaux.

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