A Fibril-Like Assembly of Oligomers of a Peptide Derived from β-Amyloid

A macrocyclic beta-sheet peptide containing two nonapeptide segments based on A beta(1523) (QKLVFFAED) forms fibril-like assemblies of oligomers in the solid state. The X-ray crystallographic structure of macrocyclic beta-sheet peptide 3 was determined at 1.75 angstrom resolution. The macrocycle forms hydrogen-bonded dimers, which further assemble along the fibril axis in a fashion resembling a herringbone pattern. The extended beta-sheet comprising the dimers is laminated against a second layer of dimers through hydrophobic interactions to form a fibril-like assembly that runs the length of the crystal lattice. The second layer is offset by one monomer subunit, so that the fibril-like assembly is composed of partially overlapping dimers, rather than discrete tetramers. In aqueous solution, macrocyclic beta-sheet 3 and homologues 4 and 5 form discrete tetramers, rather than extended fibril-like assemblies. The fibril-like assemblies of oligomers formed in the solid state by macrocyclic beta-sheet 3 represent a new mode of supramolecular assembly not previously observed for the amyloidogenic central region of A beta. The structures observed at atomic resolution for this peptide model system may offer insights into the structures of oligomers and oligomer assemblies formed by full-length A beta and may provide a window into the propagation and replication of amyloid oligomers.