New research helps explain the role of amyloid-beta plaques in the development of Alzheimer's, by finding that the prion protein known to bind strongly to small aggregates of amyloid-beta peptides, also attaches to large fibrillar clumps of amyloid-beta. However, it doesn’t break them down into smaller, more harmful pieces, as has been suggested. This suggests that prion-protein-based compounds might be a useful means of treatment, to stop these smaller pieces from forming.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-04/acs-tut042314.php
[3595]
(2014). Interaction between Prion Protein and Aβ Amyloid Fibrils Revisited.
ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 5(5), 340 - 345.
