Physicochernical interactions of arnyloid-peptide with lipid bilayers

The aggregation and deposition onto neuronal cells of amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that membranes play a catalytic role in the aggregation of A. This article summarizes the structures and properties of A beta in solution and the physicochemical interaction of A with lipid bilayers of various compositions. Reasons for discrepancies between results by different research groups are discussed. The importance of ganglioside clusters in the aggregation of A is emphasized. Finally, a hypothetical physicochemical cascade in the pathogenesis of the disease is proposed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.