ISSN:
1749-6632
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Natural Sciences in General
Notes:
Amyloid β protein (AβP) is the 40–42 residue polypeptide implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have reconstituted this peptide into phosphatidylserine liposomes and then fused the liposomes with a planar lipid bilayer. When incorporated into this bilayer, the AβP forms cation selective channels capable of transporting calcium and some monovalent cations including cesium, lithium, potassium, and sodium. The channels behave in an ohmic fashion and single channels can be shown to exhibit multiple subconductance states. Hitherto, AβP has been presumed to be neurotoxic, although direct demonstration of toxicity has proved elusive. On the basis of the present data we suggest that the ion channel activity of the polypeptide may be the basis of its neurotoxic effects.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1993.tb23046.x
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