The amyloid-beta peptide of Alzheimer's disease binds Cu(I) in a linear bis-his coordination environment: insight into a possible neuroprotective mechanism for the amyloid-beta peptide.

ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress has been suggested to contribute to neuronal apoptosis associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Copper may participate in oxidative stress through redox-cycling between its +2 and +1 oxidation states to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In vitro, copper binds to the amyloid-beta peptide of AD, and in vivo, copper is associated with amyloid plaques characteristic of AD. As a result, the AbetaCu(I) complex may be a critical reactant involved in ROS associated with AD etiology. To characterize the AbetaCu(I) complex, we have pursued X-ray absorption (XAS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of AbetaCu(II) and AbetaCu(I) (produced by ascorbate reduction of AbetaCu(II)). The AbetaCu(II) complex Cu K-edge XAS spectrum is indicative of a square-planar Cu

SUBMITTER: Shearer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935688 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature