Alzheimer's disease and amyloid β-peptide deposition in the brain: a matter of 'aging'?

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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 Abeta (amyloid beta-peptide), a central event in AD (Alzheimer's disease) synaptic dysfunctions. Structural alterations introduced by site-specific modifications linked to protein aging may affect Abeta 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 Abeta 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.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBiochemical Society Transactions
Volume38
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)539-544
Number of pages6
ISSN1470-8752
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Aging, Alzheimer Disease, Amino Acid Isomerases, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Animals, Biological Clocks, Brain, Humans, Models, Biological, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Time Factors

ID: 36094150