Wilson Liang

The protective effect of transthyretin (TTR) on cellular toxicity of amyloid-beta (Aβ) has been previously reported. TTR is a tetrameric carrier of thyroxine in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, whose pathogenic aggregation causes systemic amyloidosis. In contrast, many reports have shown that TTR binds amyloid-beta (Aβ), associated with Alzheimer’s disease, alters its aggregation, and inhibits its toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we question whether TTR amyloidogenic ability and its anti-amyloid inhibitory effect are associated. Our results indicate that the dissociation of the TTR tetramer, required for its amyloid pathogenesis, is also necessary to prevent cellular toxicity from Aβ oligomers. These findings suggest that the Aβ binding site of TTR may be hidden in its tetrameric form. Aided by computational docking and peptide screening, we identified a TTR segment that is capable of altering Aβ aggregation and toxicity, mimicking TTR cellular protection. This segme...

Background: Transthyretin (TTR) aggregation is associated with systemic amyloidosis. Results: Residue replacements on the F and H strands hinder TTR aggregation. Conclusion: The F and H strands are aggregation-driving segments of TTR. The binding of designed peptides inhibits protein aggregation. Significance: We point the way to new therapeutic approaches against TTR aggregation by using peptides to block amyloid segments.