Complete aggregation pathway of amyloid β (1-40) and (1-42) resolved on an atomically clean interface

Peter Niraj Nirmalraj, Jonathan List, Shayon Battacharya, Geoffrey Howe, Liang Xu, Damien Thompson, Michael Mayer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To visualize amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates requires an uncontaminated and artifact-free interface. This paper demonstrates the interface between graphene and pure water (verified to be atomically clean using tunneling microscopy) as an ideal platform for resolving size, shape, and morphology (measured by atomic force microscopy) of Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 peptide assemblies from 0.5 to 150 hours at a 5-hour time interval with single-particle resolution. After confirming faster aggregation of Aβ-42 in comparison to Aβ-40, a stable set of oligomers with a diameter distribution of ~7 to 9 nm was prevalently observed uniquely for Aβ-42 even after fibril appearance. The interaction energies between a distinct class of amyloid aggregates (dodecamers) and graphene was then quantified using molecular dynamics simulations. Last, differences in Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 networks were resolved, wherein only Aβ-42 fibrils were aligned through lateral interactions over micrometer-scale lengths, a property that could be exploited in the design of biofunctional materials.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaaz6014
Pages (from-to)-
JournalScience Advances
Volume6
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

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