title: Congo red and protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: Congo red is a commonly used histological dye for amyloid detection. The specificity of this staining results from Congo red's affinity for binding to fibril proteins enriched in beta-sheet conformation. Unexpectedly, recent investigations indicate that the dye also possesses the capacity to interfere with processes of protein misfolding and aggregation, stabilizing native protein monomers or partially folded intermediates, while reducing concentration of more toxic protein oligomers. Inhibitory effects of Congo red upon amyloid toxicity may also range from blockade of channel formation and interference with glycosaminoglycans binding or immune functions, to the modulation of gene expression. Particularly, Congo red exhibits ameliorative effect in models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and prion diseases. Another interesting application of Congo red analogues is the development of imaging probes. Based on their small molecular size and penetrability through blood-brain barrier, Congo red congeners can be used for both antemortem and in vivo visualization and quantification of brain amyloids. Therefore, understanding mechanisms involved in dye-amyloidal fibril binding and inhibition of aggregation will provide instructive guides for the design of future compounds, potentially useful for monitoring and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.affiliation: Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Petrea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frid
authors.forename: Sergey V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Anisimov
authors.forename: Natalija
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Popovic
mesh_terms: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003224:Congo Red / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058225:Plaque, Amyloid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017510:Protein Folding; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D004396:Coloring Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D003224:Congo Red