title: The neuroprotective peptide NAP inhibits the aggregation of the beta-amyloid peptide.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by brain plaques containing the beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta). One approach for treating AD is by blocking Abeta aggregation. Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein contains a peptide, NAP that protects neurons in culture against Abeta toxicity. Here, NAP was shown to inhibit Abeta aggregation using: (1) fluorimetry; (2) electron microscopy; (3) high-throughput screening of Abeta deposition onto a synthetic template (synthaloid); and (4) Congo Red staining of neurons. Further assays showed biotin-NAP binding to Abeta. These results suggest that part of the neuroprotective mechanism exerted by NAP is through modulation of toxic protein folding in the extracellular milieu.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Osnat
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ashur-Fabian
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Segal-Ruder
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skutelsky
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brenneman
authors.forename: Ruth A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Steingart
authors.forename: Eliezer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giladi
authors.forename: Illana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gozes
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003224:Congo Red / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003224:Congo Red; D003300:Copper; C425904:davunetide