Synthesis and mechanistic investigation of short peptides as Aβ aggregation inhibitors

Abstract

Neurotoxic oligomers of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide build up in the cortical region of the brain of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lipophilic C-terminus region of Aβ plays a pivotal role in neurotoxic oligomer formation. Studies have confirmed that a modified fragment of the Aβ42 peptide prevents its aggregation. Our research on the C-terminus fragment shows it can effectively stop the parent peptide (Aβ42) from killing PC-12 cells at concentrations between 2 and 10 μM. We have synthesized peptides applying a solid phase synthesis strategy involving an eco-friendly microwave (MW)-assisted protocol. The lead peptide Gly-Cle-Val-Ile-Ala-NH2 (20) showed a 100 % anti-aggregation effect against Aβ42 at 2 μM. The Th-T fluorescence assays showed 100 % inhibition of the amyloid species in all tested concentrations; even a 0.5 μM dose of the peptide could inhibit Aβ42 aggregations at 24 and 48 h of incubation. Also, 96.8 % deformation was found at 10 μM at 72 h of incubation. In the ANS fluorescence assays, 59 % and 41.7 % inhibition of the amyloid species and 34.4 % deformation results were obtained. The Th-T and ANS fluorescence assays supported the results. In the CD spectroscopy investigation, peptide 20 curbed β-sheet conformations. The fact that Aβ42 fibrillary networks were not visible in HRTEM and STEM images showed evidence that Aβ42 had not aggregated in the presence of peptide 20. DLS study provided a further mechanistic understanding of the effectiveness of peptide 20. We conclude that peptide 20 diminishes the Aβ peptide aggregation process at low μM concentrations and is non-cytotoxic.