On enhancers and inhibitors of elastin-derived amyloidogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study is to better understand the self-aggregation mechanism of amyloid-like elastin-derived fibers in order to design and produce new powerful drugs that will inhibit the onset of 'amyloidosis'.


METHODS
Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Congo Red birefringence assay and Thioflavin T fluorescence measurements were used to demonstrate the amyloid-like behavior of some fragments of elastin protein (exon 30 [EX30] and exon 28 [EX28]). Turbidimetry on apparent absorbance technique was used to investigate the effect either of enhancers or of inhibitors on the amyloidogenic elastin-like peptides. Circular-dichroism spectroscopy was used to study the secondary structures of the peptides.


CONCLUSIONS
We used Congo Red birefringence assay, Thioflavin T fluorescence measurements and AFM measurements that are used commonly to demonstrate the formation of amyloids. The elastin fibrillogenesis is amyloid-like. Then, the elastin amyloidogenesis is inhibited by particular pentapeptides.


CONCLUSIONS
We have reported herein that the fibrillogenesis of elastin-derived EX28 and EX30 polypeptides is facilitated significantly by the effect of sodium taurocholate bile salt and is inhibited by a classical inhibitor of Abeta-amyloid peptide, such as KLVFF, as well as by novel inhibitors, designed by us on the basis of some elastin sequences.
Bochicchio
Brigida
B
University of Basilicata, Department of Chemistry, Potenza, Italy.
Lorusso
Marina
M
Pepe
Antonietta
A
Tamburro
Antonio Mario
AM
D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D000682:Amyloid; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; C529399:amyloid beta-protein (16-20); D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D004549:Elastin