Amyloid formation by the pro-inflammatory S100A8/A9 proteins in the ageing prostate.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The conversion of soluble peptides and proteins into polymeric amyloid structures is a hallmark of many age-related degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes and a variety of systemic amyloidoses. We report here that amyloid formation is linked to another major age-related phenomenon--prostate tissue remodelling in middle-aged and elderly men.

Methodology/principal findings

By using multidisciplinary analysis of corpora amylacea inclusions in prostate glands of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer we have revealed that their major components are the amyloid forms of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins associated with numerous inflammatory conditions and types of cancer. In prostate protease rich environment the amyloids are stabilized by dy

SUBMITTER: Yanamandra K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2678268 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature