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Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease

Novel curcumin derivatives proposed for inhibiting the production of amyloid-beta peptides, which are the main causal agents of Alzheimer's disease

Date:
June 11, 2015
Source:
Toyohashi University of Technology
Summary:
Researchers proposed novel agents for inhibiting the production of amyloid-beta (A?) peptides, which are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Using state-of-the-art molecular simulations, interactions between amyloid precursor protein (APP) and curcumin derivatives were investigated, to elucidate the specific derivative that binds strongly to APP and inhibits the pathogenic A? production. The results contribute to developing new medicines that suppress A? peptide production.
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FULL STORY

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a severe form of dementia among aged individuals, is caused by accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Numerous types of agents have been developed to suppress the production of Aβ, by inhibiting the secretase-mediated cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) into Aβ peptides.

However, because the secretases also play important roles in the production of vital proteins for the human body, inhibitors of the secretases have increased risk for side effects.

Currently, Toyohashi Tech researchers in cooperation with a researcher at the National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine, proposed new agents for protecting the cleavage site of APP from attack by γ-secretase, based on results evaluated by their state-of-the-art molecular simulations.

They investigated the specific interactions between a short APP peptide and curcumin derivatives for the first time worldwide, using protein-ligand docking as well as ab initio molecular simulations. Curcumin is a constituent of turmeric, which is a popular yellow spice in Indian cuisine. The simulated results elucidated the specific curcumin derivative and showed that it bound more strongly to APP and inhibited the binding of secretase to APP more than the other derivatives did . Moreover, some novel curcumin derivatives were proposed as potent inhibitors of Aβ peptide production. These derivatives are novel agents for suppressing AD and are proposed based on the novel concept of preventing APP cleavage. However, this does not imply that the consumption of Indian cuisine suppresses AD.

The first author, graduate student Hiromi Ishimura said, "We have also been studying the aggregation mechanism of Aβ peptides by using molecular dynamics simulations (Okamoto et al. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modeling, 50, 113-124, 2014; Yano et al. Chemical Physics Letters, 595-596, 242-249, 2014). By combining the present ab initio molecular simulation and the molecular dynamics simulations, we will be able to elucidate the mechanism and propose potent inhibitors for suppressing the aggregation of Aβ peptides. These inhibitors are used as a therapeutic agent for ADs."

Associate Professor Noriyuki Kurita said, "Our present molecular simulations elucidated that curcumin can bind APP and inhibit the cleavage of APP by secretase. Curcumin is a natural product contained in the root of Curcumae Rhizoma. In the laboratory of our collaborator at National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine, our proposed curcumin derivatives will be synthesized and theirs effects on experimental animals with ADs will be investigated."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Toyohashi University of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Hiromi Ishimura, Ryushi Kadoya, Tomoya Suzuki, Takeru Murakawa, Sergiy Shulga, Noriyuki Kurita. Specific interactions between amyloid-β peptide and curcumin derivatives: Ab initio molecular simulations. Chemical Physics Letters, 2015; 633: 139 DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2015.05.023

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Toyohashi University of Technology. "Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 June 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611091337.htm>.
Toyohashi University of Technology. (2015, June 11). Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611091337.htm
Toyohashi University of Technology. "Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611091337.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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