Novel amylin analogues reduce amyloid-β cross-seeding aggregation and neurotoxicity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes related human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) plays a dual role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). hIAPP has neuroprotective effects in AD mouse models whereas, high hIAPP concentrations can promote co-aggregation with amyloid-β (Aβ) to promote neurodegeneration. In fact, both low and high plasma hIAPP concentration has been associated with AD. Therefore, non-aggregating hIAPP analogues have garnered interest as a treatment for AD. The aromatic amino acids F23 and I26 in hIAPP have been identified as the key residues involved in self-aggregation and Aβ cross-seeding. OBJECTIVE: Three novel IAPP analogues with single and double alanine mutations (A1 = F23, A2 = I26, and A3 = F23 + I26) were assessed for their ability to aggregate, modulate Aβ oligomer formation, and alter neurotoxicity. METHODS: A range of biophysical methods including Thioflavin-T, gel electrophoresis, photo-crosslinking, circular dichroism combined with cell viability assays were utilized to assess protein aggregation and toxicity. RESULTS: All IAPP analogues showed significantly less self-aggregation than hIAPP. Co-aggregated Aβ42-A2 and A3 also showed reduced aggregation compared to Aβ42-hIAPP mixtures. Self- and co-oligomerized A1, A2, and A3 exhibited random coil conformations with reduced beta sheet content compared to hIAPP and Aβ42-hIAPP aggregates. A1 was toxic at high concentrations compared to A2 and A3. However, co-aggregated Aβ42-A1, A2, or A3 showed reduced neurotoxicity compared to Aβ42, hIAPP, and Aβ42-hIAPP aggregates. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that hIAPP analogues with non-aromatic residues at positions 23 and 26 have reduced self-aggregation and the ability to neutralize Aβ42 toxicity. This warrants further characterization of their protective effects in pre-clinical AD models.

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2022

Volume

87

Issue

1

PubMed ID

35275530

Publication Title

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD

Publisher

IOS

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences / Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care

RAS ID

52137

Comments

Dharmaraj, G. L., Arigo, F. D., Young, K. A., Martins, R., Mancera, R. L., & Bharadwaj, P. (2022). Novel Amylin Analogues Reduce Amyloid-β Cross-Seeding Aggregation and Neurotoxicity. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 87(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-215339

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subscription content

First Page

373

Last Page

390

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.3233/JAD-215339