Serum Amyloid P Component Accelerates the Formation and Enhances the Stability of Amyloid Fibrils in a Physiologically Significant Under-Saturated Solution of Amyloid-beta(42)

The mechanism whereby an under-saturated solution of amyloid-beta (A beta)(42) precipitates as beta sheets in vivo in Alzheimer's disease remains to be elucidated. Herein we present in vitro evidence that serum amyloid P component may mediate this process through its acceleration of amyloid formation from an under-saturated solution of A beta(42) and subsequently its stabilization of the amyloid fibrils formed over physiologically significant timeframes. Our observations support serum amyloid P component as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease.