Omega-3 fatty acids regulate the interaction of the Alzheimer's aβ(25-35) peptide with lipid membranes

Langmuir. 2013 Nov 19;29(46):14239-45. doi: 10.1021/la403416b. Epub 2013 Nov 7.

Abstract

Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are increasingly proposed as dietary supplements able to reduce the risk of development or progression of the Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, the molecular mechanism through which these lipids act has not been yet univocally identified. In this work, we investigate whether omega-3 fatty acids could interfere with the fate of the Alzheimer-related amyloid peptide by tuning the microstructural and dynamical properties of the neuronal membrane. To this aim, the influence of the omega-3 lipid, 1,2-didocosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [22:6(cis)PC] on the biophysical properties of lipid bilayers, and on their interaction with the amyloid peptide fragment Aβ(25-35) has been investigated by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), using spin-labeled phospholipids. The results show that the peptide selectively interacts with bilayers enriched in cholesterol (Chol) and sphingomyelin (SM). [22:6(cis)PC] enhances the Aβ(25-35)/membrane interaction, favoring a deeper internalization of the peptide among the lipid acyl chains and, consequently, hindering its pathogenic self-aggregation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Spin Labels

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Phospholipids
  • Spin Labels
  • amyloid beta-protein (25-35)