Curved carbon photo-oxygenation catalysts for the suppression and nanoscopic imaging of β-amyloid peptides fibrillation

The progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized with the deposition and aggregation of beta-amyloid (A beta). Visualizing A beta aggregates at high spatial resolution is beneficial for AD diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we designed a new molecule by conjugating corannulene (Cor) with rhodamine B isothiocyanate (Rhb), namely Cor-Rhb, for the nanoscopic imaging and modulating A beta peptide fibrillation. The low duty cycle, high photon output and sufficient switching cycles enable Cor-Rhb suitable for localization-based nanoscopic fluorescence imaging. We find that Cor-Rhb can inhibit A beta peptides fibrillization and interact directly with mature fibrils, triggering their disaggregation under light illumination. Noticeably reduced A beta-mediated cytotoxicity after the addition of Cor-Rhb is also confirmed. These explorations suggest that Cor-Rhb displays great potential as a multifunctional therapeutic agent against amyloid-related diseases, and may largely facilitate a variety of super-resolution based biological applications.

Automated summary

Cor-Rhb can inhibit the fibrillation of Aβ peptides, interact directly with mature fibrils, and reduce Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity. It shows great potential as a multifunctional therapeutic agent.