This N-terminal domain of APP, amyloid precursor protein, is the heparin-binding domain of the protein. this region is also responsible for stimulation of neurite outgrowth. The structure reveals both a highly charged basic surface that may interact ...
This N-terminal domain of APP, amyloid precursor protein, is the heparin-binding domain of the protein. this region is also responsible for stimulation of neurite outgrowth. The structure reveals both a highly charged basic surface that may interact with glycosaminoglycans in the brain and an abutting hydrophobic surface that is proposed to play an important functional role such as in dimerisation or ligand-binding. Structural similarities with cysteine-rich growth factors, taken together with its known growth-promoting properties, suggest the APP N-terminal domain could function as a growth factor in vivo [1].
This short domain, part of the extra-cellular N-terminus of the amyloid precursor protein, APP, can bind both copper and zinc, CuBD. The structure of Cu2+-bound CuBD reveals that the metal ligands are His147, His151, Tyr168 and two water molecules, ...
This short domain, part of the extra-cellular N-terminus of the amyloid precursor protein, APP, can bind both copper and zinc, CuBD. The structure of Cu2+-bound CuBD reveals that the metal ligands are His147, His151, Tyr168 and two water molecules, which are arranged in a square pyramidal geometry. The structure of Cu+-bound CuBD is almost identical to the Cu2+-bound structure except for the loss of one of the water ligands. The geometry of the site is unfavourable for Cu+, thus providing a mechanism by which CuBD could readily transfer Cu ions to other proteins.
