Protein misfolding and aggregation: Mechanism, factors and detection

Amyloidogenic diseases are characterised by the formation of amyloid aggregates inside or outside the cell. Amyloid-associated human diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion diseases and type II diabetes. Currently, these diseases are incurable; thus, detailed insight into the mechanism of amyloid formation, deposition and inhibition is required to develop treatment strategies. Herein, we have described the mechanism of amyloidogenesis in detail highlighting the major events including the association of native monomers into higher-ordered fibrillar structures. A review of the modern technologies that aid characterisation of amyloid aggregates is also discussed. Further, we have described the factors influencing the microenvironment of protein, which in turn promotes amyloidosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.