Amyloid-Associated Nucleic Acid Hybridisation
2011
Nucleic Acids Promote Amyloid Formation
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Sebastian Braun, Christine Humphreys, Elizabeth Fraser, Andreas Brancale, Matthias Bochtler, Trevor C. Dale
Primary Institution: Cardiff University
Hypothesis
Do nucleic acids influence the structure and function of amyloid proteins?
Conclusion
Nucleic acids enhance the formation of amyloid from peptides and may have played a role in early evolution.
Supporting Evidence
- Nucleic acids concentrate and enhance amyloid formation from peptides.
- Amyloid components bind nucleic acids and promote their hybridization.
- ANA complexes formed from peptides and nucleic acids may have played a role in early evolution.
Takeaway
This study shows that nucleic acids can help proteins form structures called amyloids, which are important in diseases and might have been crucial for early life.
Methodology
The study used biophysical techniques including X-ray fibre diffraction, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and electron microscopy to analyze nucleic acid-amyloid interactions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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