Francoise A Dekker

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by the progressive loss of neuronal tissue, and the accumulation of amyloid fibrils. Currently, there are no therapeutics that remove these amyloids. Targeted protein degradation could be a promising strategy to remove fibrils or oligomeric precursors. This approach requires degraders that specifically recognise amyloid fibrils, preferentially in early stages.

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease, Huntington Disease, are characterised by accumulation of amyloid fibrils. To date, there is no cure for these diseases, and it is of great importance to develop disease-modifying therapies. Recently, we discovered the FibrilPaint1 peptide, a specific amyloid binder. Here we introduce a class of FibrilPaint1 derivatives that bind to fibrils.

Abstract Protein aggregation is related to the development of amyloid diseases, such as Alzheimers Disease and Huntingtons Disease. It is of great importance to detect aggregates at the earliest stage possible, which is a prerequisite for early diagnosis. Here, we present a method to monitor protein fibril size from early aggregation steps. We designed a peptide, FibrilPaint1, that specifically recognises and fluorescently labels various fibrils from diseases, but not their monomeric precursors.