Trans-Suppression of Misfolding in an Amyloid Disease

P Hammarström, F Schneider, JW Kelly - Science, 2001 - science.org
P Hammarström, F Schneider, JW Kelly
Science, 2001science.org
The transthyretin (TTR) amyloid diseases, representative of numerous misfolding disorders,
are of considerable interest because there are mutations that cause or suppress disease.
The Val30→ Met30 (V30M) TTR mutation is the most prevalent cause of familial amyloid
polyneuropathy in heterozygotes, whereas a Thr119→ Met119 (T119M) mutation on the
second TTR allele protects V30M carriers from disease. Here, we show that the
incorporation of one or more T119M TTR subunits into a predominantly V30M tetramer …
The transthyretin (TTR) amyloid diseases, representative of numerous misfolding disorders, are of considerable interest because there are mutations that cause or suppress disease. The Val30 → Met30 (V30M) TTR mutation is the most prevalent cause of familial amyloid polyneuropathy in heterozygotes, whereas a Thr119 → Met119(T119M) mutation on the second TTR allele protects V30M carriers from disease. Here, we show that the incorporation of one or more T119M TTR subunits into a predominantly V30M tetramer strongly stabilized the mixed tetramer against dissociation. Dissociation is required for amyloid formation, so these findings provide a molecular explanation for intragenictrans-suppression of amyloidosis. The data also suggest a potential therapeutic strategy, provide insight into tissue-specific deposition and amyloid composition, and support the validity of the amyloid hypothesis in human disease.
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