The route to protein aggregate superstructures: Particulates and amyloid-like spherulites

Valeria Vetri, Vito Foderà

    35 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Depending on external conditions, native proteins may change their structure and undergo different association routes leading to a large scale polymorphism of the aggregates. This feature has been widely observed but is not fully understood yet. This review focuses on morphologies, physico-chemical properties and mechanisms of formation of amyloid structures and protein superstructures. In particular, the main focus will be on protein particulates and amyloid-like spherulites, briefly summarizing possible experimental methods of analysis. Moreover, we will highlight the role of protein conformational changes and dominant forces in driving association together with their connection with the final aggregate structure. Eventually, we will discuss future perspectives in this field and we will comment what is, in our opinion, urgently needed.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalFEBS Letters
    Volume589
    Issue number19 Pt A
    Pages (from-to)2448-63
    Number of pages16
    ISSN0014-5793
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14 Sept 2015

    Keywords

    • Amyloid
    • Humans
    • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
    • Models, Chemical
    • Models, Molecular
    • Protein Aggregates
    • Protein Aggregation, Pathological
    • Protein Conformation
    • Thermodynamics
    • X-Ray Diffraction

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