Accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques is a characteristic marker of Alzheimer’s disease that has been the target of numerous failed clinical trials. In light of this, therapeutics that target mechanisms of neuronal death beyond Aβ aggregation are needed. One potential target is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can result from an interaction between Aβ and free copper ions. This work shows that ROS production can be decreased by disrupting the interaction between Aβ and copper using copper chelating compounds. We demonstrated that ROS are produced in the presence of Aβ and copper in solution by monitoring H2O2 production using a fluorescence-based assay, which increased when Cu2+ interacted with Aβ. In addition, we were able to show reduced ROS production, without exacerbating the aggregation of Aβ and in some cases alleviating it, by adding copper chelating ligands to the solution. Using cyclic voltammetry, we monitored electrochemical interactions of copper in the presence of these ligands, thus revealing important insights into the mechanisms of ROS production and chemical interactions that result in decreased ROS rates.

Interactions of copper and copper chelate compounds with the amyloid beta peptide: An investigation into electrochemistry, reactive oxygen species and peptide aggregation

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.