Amyloid fibrils: modulation of formation and structure by copper(II)

The role of Cu(II)-complexation of amyloidogenic peptides on the formation and structure of aggregates were analyzed in order to obtain a general insight into modulation of peptide aggregation by metal ions. The results mimicked various facets of biological relevant peptides/protein-aggregation. Important mechanistic features are the ability of Cu(II) to associate the peptides by bridging coordination, the structural changes induced by Cu(II) binding and their effect on peptide-peptide interactions.