Key Words:amyloid fibrils; disassembly mechanism; Peak Force QNM; nano-mechanical properties
Abstract:The comprehensive understanding of disassembly mechanism of amyloid fibrils requires nano-scale characterization of the mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils during the disassembly process. In this work, gemini surfactant C12C6C12Br2 micelles were used as a probe to disassemble A beta(1-40) fibrils. The microstructure evolution and nano-mechanical properties of A beta(1-40) fibrils during the disassembly process were systematically investigated by the Peak Force Quantitative Nano-mechanical (PF-QNM) technique. The results show an obvious decrease in Young's modulus of mature fibrils with high beta-sheet contents (2.4 +/- 1.0 GPa) in comparison to the resulting peptide/surfactant complexes (1.1 +/- 0.8 GPa) with loose surface structures. Interestingly, the Young's modulus of spherical peptide/surfactant complexes on the core was more than 3 GPa. This strategy can be used as a standard protocol to investigate the interaction mechanism between amyloid fibrils and small molecules, which may open up new possibilities to explore the mechanism of relevant human diseases.
Volume:107
Issue:2
Translation or Not:no