title: Effects of nicotinic receptor agonists on beta-amyloid beta-sheet formation.
abstract: Previously we demonstrated that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation protects neurons against beta-amyloid (Abeta)-induced cytotoxicity. In the present study, the effects of nicotinic receptor agonists on the beta-sheet formation were investigated using a thioflavin T (ThT)-based fluorescence assay. Nicotine, cytisine (an alpha4beta2 agonist), and 3-(2,4)-dimethoxybenzylidene anabaseine (DMXB, an alpha7 agonist) did not reduce fluorescence intensity when these agents were added to the beta-sheet-formed Abeta. Simultaneous incubation of Abeta with nicotinic agonists also did not cause a reduction in fluorescence intensity. This data suggests that nicotinic receptor agonists do not influence the formation of the beta-sheet structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kihara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimohama
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akaike
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D001392:Azocines; D001597:Benzylidene Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011807:Quinolizines; D000093843:Quinolizidine Alkaloids
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D001392:Azocines; D001597:Benzylidene Compounds; D009538:Nicotine; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011725:Pyridines; D011807:Quinolizines; C004712:cytisine; D000093843:Quinolizidine Alkaloids; C088936:3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine