Discovered the basic structural elements of the toxicity of major social impact of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases is not as amyloidosis. It is the result of a study just published online in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Chemical Biology and built by a team of scientists and researchers from the Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, led by Fabrizio Chiti ("A Link Between the causative structure of aberrant protein oligomers and Their toxicity ").
At work, led mainly by young PhD student Silvia Campioni, participated in a also significant research groups Cristina Cecchi, always of the Department of Biochemical Sciences University of Florence, and Annalisa Reline (Department of Physics, University of Genoa). "Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson ol'Amiloidosi - explains Fabrizio Chiti - are due to the inability of a precise body of the protein to remain soluble and functional are created, therefore, aggregates, known as "amyloid fibrils, which accumulate in tissues such as the key role. the brain. Before becoming mature fibrillar aggregates, however, continues Chiti - the appearance is that of intermediate aggregates called "oligomers". Are they are the real culprits of disease and are very difficult to identify and study because they are unstable and heterogeneous structure. "
The research findings have for the first time shed light on the structural characteristics of the oligomers. Working with a protein model was able to form two types of oligomers, stable and be studied: a type of toxic to cultured cells and another type that looks rather benign. A highly innovative approach has enabled it to provide information at the molecular level, allowing you to identify the main structural differences between the two types of oligomers, stressing, therefore, the factors responsible for their toxicity.
'Studying at the molecular oligomers - Chiti said - open the horizons important mechanism that lies at the origin of these diseases and can identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. On the open road from our basic research may develop drug discovery. To put it in a picture, we are preparing the ground where to build the edifice of prevention and treatment. "
Source: LaStampa.it
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