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Title: Inhibiting and Remodeling Toxic Amyloid-Beta Oligomer Formation Using a Computationally Designed Drug Molecule That Targets Alzheimer’s Disease

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
;  [1];  [2];  [1];  [2]
  1. University of California, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (United States)
  2. Acelot, Inc. (United States)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is rapidly reaching epidemic status among a burgeoning aging population. Much evidence suggests the toxicity of this amyloid disease is most influenced by the formation of soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid β-protein, particularly the 42-residue alloform (Aβ42). Developing potential therapeutics in a directed, streamlined approach to treating this disease is necessary. Here we utilize the joint pharmacophore space (JPS) model to design a new molecule [AC0107] incorporating structural characteristics of known Aβ inhibitors, blood-brain barrier permeability, and limited toxicity. To test the molecule’s efficacy experimentally, we employed ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) to discover [AC0107] inhibits the formation of the toxic Aβ42 dodecamer at both high (1:10) and equimolar concentrations of inhibitor. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments reveal that [AC0107] prevents further aggregation of Aβ42, destabilizes preformed fibrils, and reverses Aβ42 aggregation. This trend continues for long-term interaction times of 2 days until only small aggregates remain with virtually no fibrils or higher order oligomers surviving. Pairing JPS with IM-MS and AFM presents a powerful and effective first step for AD drug development. .

OSTI ID:
22923036
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Vol. 30, Issue 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2019 American Society for Mass Spectrometry; http://www.springer-ny.com; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-0305
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English