How One Mutation Tips Biochemistry To Cause Alzheimer's Disease

Monday, May 12, 2008 - 08:28 in Biology & Nature

Forms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease are known to be hereditary, caused by single point mutations. Now, using sophisticated computer simulations, a team of physical chemists have shown precisely how the substitution of one amino acid for one that is very similar causes a subtle change in the shape of a peptide and tips a very delicate chemical balance, creating build-up of the toxic by-products and finally resulting in catastrophic disease.

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