Electrophoresis, Vol.29, No.7, 1502-1510, 2008
Sulfonated molecules that bind a partially structured species of beta(2)-microglobulin also influence refolding and fibrillogenesis
Human beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-m) is a small amyloidogenic protein responsible for dialysis-related amyloidosis, which represents a severe complication of long-term hemodialysis. A therapeutic approach for this amyloidosis could be based on the stabilization of beta(2)-m through the binding to a small molecule, to possibly inhibit protein misfolding and amyloid fibril formation. The search of a strong ligand of this protein is extremely challenging: by using CE in affinity and refolding experiments we study the effect that previously selected sulfonated molecules have on the equilibrium between the native form and an ensemble of conformers populating the slow phase of beta(2)-m folding. These data are correlated with the effect that the same molecules exert on in vitro fibrillogenesis experiments.
Keywords:beta(2)-microglobulin;affinity capillary electrophoresis;amyloidosis;fibrillogenesis;refolding kinetics