老年痴呆症的一个主要病理学特征是脑部出现淀粉样沉积,其主要成分是由40-42个氨基酸残基组成的淀粉样β多肽(Amyloidβ- peptide,简称Aβ).铜锌等过渡金属离子与Aβ肽的沉积直接相关,研究这些金属离子与Aβ肽的作用对理解老年痴呆症的病理过程并开发相应的治疗药物至关重要.文章综述了过渡金属离子Cu、Zn和Fe与Aβ肽作用的研究进展.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by the deposition of amyloid,the major component of which is a 40-42 residue peptide known as the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). Metal ions such as Zn and Cu are implicated in aggregation of Aβ. Studying the interactions of these metals ions with Aβ is very important for us to understand the pathogenesis of AD and develop new therapeutic agents. The study on interactions of transition metal ions such as Zn,Cu and Fe with Aβ was reviewed.