Unveiling the Effects of Copper Ions in the Aggregation of Amyloidogenic Proteins

Molecules. 2023 Sep 5;28(18):6446. doi: 10.3390/molecules28186446.

Abstract

Amyloid diseases have become a global concern due to their increasing prevalence. Transition metals, including copper, can affect the aggregation of the pathological proteins involved in these diseases. Copper ions play vital roles in organisms, but the disruption of their homeostasis can negatively impact neuronal function and contribute to amyloid diseases with toxic protein aggregates, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired cellular signaling, inflammation, and cell death. Gaining insight into the imbalance of copper ions and its impact on protein folding and aggregation is crucial for developing focused therapies. This review examines the influence of copper ions on significant amyloid proteins/peptides, offering a comprehensive overview of the current understanding in this field.

Keywords: Alzheimer; Neurokinin B; Parkinson; amyloid; copper; diabetes; misfolding; prion; synuclein; tau.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloidogenic Proteins*
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Protein Folding

Substances

  • Amyloidogenic Proteins
  • Copper
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides

Grants and funding

The author thanks the University of Catania (Projects: 3N-oracle, SELECTION) and MSAL (Project: ex-PO Salute-T4) for funding.