Nuclear Magnetic Resonance characterization of Beta-amyloid peptides and their interactions with anti-amyloidogenic compounds

Neurotoxic aggregates generated by amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) represent one of the main pathological features of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Nowadays many natural and synthetic compounds able to prevent Abeta peptide toxicity and aggregation have already been identified. Several of these compounds are not soluble in water, are chemically unstable and/or show pharmacological activities not directly correlated to AD. Among these, tetracycline, rosmarinic acid and curcumin, were analyzed for their ability to bind Abeta peptides. For this purpose NMR spectroscopy has been mainly employed, with the support of other biophysical methodologies. Obtained the structural information related to those interactions, some derivatives of these molecules, with improved solubility and chemical stability, were synthesized and tested in order to generate new Abeta ligands, useful for the development of new potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools against Alzheimer’s Disease.