39th Annual Student Research Conference
Computational Analysis of Amyloid-Beta Disaggregation Using Polyphenol Ligands
Abbie A. Wigger
Dr. Bill R. Miller (A.T. Still University) and Dr. Andrew Kauffmann, Faculty Mentors
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that destroys necessary mental functions and is one of the leading causes of death in America for individuals over the age of 65. A hallmark trait of AD is the aggregation of amyloid-β peptides forming plaques in the brain. There are currently no cures or effective treatments for AD. Polyphenol ligands have shown promise in the inhibition of amyloid-β plaque formation. To test this proposed inhibition, computational biochemical methods were used to gain insight into the effects of polyphenol ligands, namely piceatannol (PCT) and pinosylvin (PNO), on the disaggregation of amyloid-β plaques. Our simulations revealed that both PCT and PNO disrupt the amyloid-β protein to varying degrees. Our results help advance the theory of polyphenol drugs as potential inhibitors for the aggregation of the amyloid-β protein.
Keywords: Computational Biochemistry, Alzheimer's Disease, Amyloid-Beta, Polyphenols, Piceatannol, Pinosylvin
Topic(s):Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: -5
Location: MG 1098
Time: 9:30