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Ring-like N-fold Models of A?42 fibrils.

ABSTRACT: When assembling as fibrils A?40 peptides can only assume U-shaped conformations while A?42 can also arrange as S-shaped three-stranded chains. We show that this allows A?42 peptides to assemble pore-like structures that may explain their higher toxicity. For this purpose, we develop a scalable model of ring-like assemblies of S-shaped A?1-42 chains and study the stability and structural properties of these assemblies through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the proposed arrangements are in size and symmetry compatible with experimentally observed A? assemblies. We further show that the interior pore in our models allows for water leakage as a possible mechanism of cell toxicity of A?42 amyloids.

SUBMITTER: Xi W

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5529447 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ring-like N-fold Models of Aβ42 fibrils.

Xi Wenhui W Hansmann Ulrich H E UHE

Scientific reports 20170726 1

When assembling as fibrils Aβ40 peptides can only assume U-shaped conformations while Aβ42 can also arrange as S-shaped three-stranded chains. We show that this allows Aβ42 peptides to assemble pore-like structures that may explain their higher toxicity. For this purpose, we develop a scalable model of ring-like assemblies of S-shaped Aβ1-42 chains and study the stability and structural properties of these assemblies through atomistic molecular dynamic ...[more]

PMID: 28747632

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