Ganglioside GM1 produces stable, short, and cytotoxic Aβ40 protofibrils

Monosialoganglioside GM1-bound amyloid beta-peptides have been found in patients' brains exhibiting early pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we report the ability of non-micellar GM1 to modulate A beta(40) aggregation resulting in the formation of stable, short, rod-like, and cytotoxic A beta(40) protofibrils with the ability to potentiate both A beta(40) and A beta(42) aggregation.

Automated summary

In patients with early pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease, Monosialoganglioside GM1-bound amyloid beta-peptides are detected. This study reveals that non-micellar GM1 can modulate A beta(40) aggregation, resulting in the formation of stable, short, rod-like, and cytotoxic A beta(40) protofibrils that can enhance the aggregation of both A beta(40) and A beta(42).