Biomolecules can experience aging processes that limit their long-term functionality in organisms. Typical markers of protein aging are spontaneous chemical modifications, such as AAR (amino acid racemization) and AAI (amino acid isomerization), mainly involving aspartate and asparagine residues. Since these modifications may affect folding and turnover, they reduce protein functionality over time and may be linked to pathological conditions. The present mini-review describes evidence of AAR and AAI involvement in the misfolding and brain accumulation of Aβ (amyloid β-peptide), a central event in AD (Alzheimer's disease) synaptic dysfunctions. Structural alterations introduced by site-specific modifications linked to protein aging may affect Aβ production, polymerization and clearance, and therefore play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of sporadic and genetic forms of AD. Early changes associated with molecular aging also have significant long-term consequences for Aβ folding and turnover. New fast, reproducible and accurate methods for the screening of protein aging markers in biological samples may contribute to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in AD.
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April 2010
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Conference Article|
March 22 2010
Alzheimer's disease and amyloid β-peptide deposition in the brain: a matter of ‘aging’?
Maria Luisa Moro;
Maria Luisa Moro
1
1BioArCh, Departments of Biology, Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5YW, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be sent at the present address: Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, “Carlo Besta” National Neurological Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy (email mluisamoro@yahoo.it).
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Matthew J. Collins;
Matthew J. Collins
1BioArCh, Departments of Biology, Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5YW, U.K.
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Enrico Cappellini
Enrico Cappellini
2
1BioArCh, Departments of Biology, Archaeology and Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5YW, U.K.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 05 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Biochemical Society
2010
Biochem Soc Trans (2010) 38 (2): 539–544.
Article history
Received:
January 05 2009
Citation
Maria Luisa Moro, Matthew J. Collins, Enrico Cappellini; Alzheimer's disease and amyloid β-peptide deposition in the brain: a matter of ‘aging’?. Biochem Soc Trans 1 April 2010; 38 (2): 539–544. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0380539
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