Amyloidogenic amyloid-?-peptide variants induce microbial agglutination and exert antimicrobial activity

Spitzer P, Condic M, Herrmann M, Oberstein T, Scharin-Mehlmann M, Gilbert D, Friedrich O, Groemer T, Kornhuber J, Lang R, Maler JM (2016)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Book Volume: 6

Pages Range: 32228

DOI: 10.1038/srep32228

Abstract

Amyloid-? (A?) peptides are the main components of the plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, A? peptides are also detectable in secretory compartments and peripheral blood contains a complex mixture of more than 40 different modified and/or N- and C-terminally truncated A? peptides. Recently, anti-infective properties of A? peptides have been reported. Here, we investigated the interaction of A? peptides of different lengths with various bacterial strains and the yeast Candida albicans. The amyloidogenic peptides A?1-42, A?2-42, and A?3p-42 but not the non-amyloidogenic peptides A?1-40 and A?2-40 bound to microbial surfaces. As observed by immunocytochemistry, scanning electron microscopy and Gram staining, treatment of several bacterial strains and Candida albicans with A? peptide variants ending at position 42 (A?x-42) caused the formation of large agglutinates. These aggregates were not detected after incubation with A?x-40. Furthermore, A?x-42 exerted an antimicrobial activity on all tested pathogens, killing up to 80% of microorganisms within 6 h. A?1-40 only had a moderate antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. Agglutination of A?1-42 was accelerated in the presence of microorganisms. These data demonstrate that the amyloidogenic A?x-42 variants have antimicrobial activity and may therefore act as antimicrobial peptides in the immune system.

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How to cite

APA:

Spitzer, P., Condic, M., Herrmann, M., Oberstein, T., Scharin-Mehlmann, M., Gilbert, D.,... Maler, J.M. (2016). Amyloidogenic amyloid-?-peptide variants induce microbial agglutination and exert antimicrobial activity. Scientific Reports, 6, 32228. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32228

MLA:

Spitzer, Philipp, et al. "Amyloidogenic amyloid-?-peptide variants induce microbial agglutination and exert antimicrobial activity." Scientific Reports 6 (2016): 32228.

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