Metal effects on the membrane interactions of amyloid-β peptides

Abstract

Aβ(1-42) peptide, found as aggregated species in Alzheimer's disease brain, is linked to the onset of dementia. We detail results of 31P and 2H solid-state NMR studies of model membranes with Aβ peptides and the effect of metal ions (Cu2+ and Zn2+), which are found concentrated in amyloid plaques. The effects on the lipid bilayer and the peptide structure are different for membrane incorporated or associated peptides. Copper ions alone destabilise the lipid bilayer and induce formation of smaller vesicles, but not when Aβ(1-42) is associated with the bilayer membrane. Aβ(25-35), a fragment from the C-terminal end of Aβ(1-42), which lacks the metal coordinating sites found in the full length ..