Melatonin prevents free radical formation due to the interaction between beta-amyloid peptides and metal ions [Al(III), Zn(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Fe(II)].
Alzheimer's disease, among other pathological features, is characterized by an over-accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide, metal ions, and oxidative stress proteins in the brain. Amyloid-beta aggregated peptides with bound metal ions may initiate free radical generation with consequent protein and lipid oxidation, reactive oxygen species formation and eventually neuronal death. Melatonin is able to dramatically reduce the free radical formation which follows the interaction between transition metal ions and amyloid-beta. This paper reports the scavenging effect of melatonin of reactants generated by amyloid peptides in combination with some metal ions.
Zatta
Paolo
P
CNR-Institute for Biomedical Technologies, Padova Unit Metalloproteins Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. zatta@mail.bio.unipd.it
Tognon
Giuseppe
G
Carampin
Paolo
P
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010455:Peptides / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D008670:Metals; D010455:Peptides; D008550:Melatonin