The Double-Layered Structure of Amyloid-beta Assemblage on GM1-Containing Membranes Catalytically Promotes Fibrillization.
Yagi-Utsumi, M., Itoh, S.G., Okumura, H., Yanagisawa, K., Kato, K., Nishimura, K.(2023) ACS Chem Neurosci 14: 2648-2657
- PubMed: 37482658 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00192
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7Y8Q - PubMed Abstract: 
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with progressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) cross-β fibrils in the brain. Aβ species tightly associated with GM1 ganglioside, a glycosphingolipid abundant in neuronal membranes, promote amyloid fibril formation; therefore, they could be attractive clinical targets. However, the active conformational state of Aβ in GM1-containing lipid membranes is still unknown. The present solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance study revealed a nonfibrillar Aβ assemblage characterized by a double-layered antiparallel β-structure specifically formed on GM1 ganglioside clusters. Our data show that this unique assemblage was not transformed into fibrils on GM1-containing membranes but could promote conversion of monomeric Aβ into fibrils, suggesting that a solvent-exposed hydrophobic layer provides a catalytic surface evoking Aβ fibril formation. Our findings offer structural clues for designing drugs targeting catalytically active Aβ conformational species for the development of anti-AD therapeutics.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.