(191cw) Hetero-Assemblies of Beta-Amyloid and Alpha-Synuclein Suggest Correlation between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the extracellular oligomeric formation of beta-amyloid (AB) peptides. Similarly, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the intracellular oligomeric aggregates of alpha-synuclein (αS). There is an apparent correlation between the two diseases, since some AD patients develop signs of PD, while PD patients are often diagnosed with dementia. In addition, the hydrophobic fragment of αS, known as the non-amyloid component (NAC), has been discovered in the plaques of patients with AD. Similarly, recent evidence suggests that intracellular AB can enhance the cytotoxicity of αS. This study focuses on the aggregation kinetics and morphology of αS and AB hetero-assemblies. Our research provides evidence that αS monomers and oligomers in the presence of AB monomers results in the stable formation of soluble oligomeric species, which are known to be cytotoxic. These results are useful in uncovering the mechanisms of AD and PD pathologies, as well as introducing new targets in the development of therapeutics.