1.
J Pept Res
; 63(3): 324-8, 2004 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15049845
ABSTRACT
Single N-methyl amino acid-containing peptides related to the central hydrophobic region beta16-20 (Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe) of the beta-amyloid protein are able to reduce the cytotoxicity of natural beta1-42 in PC12 cell cultures. N-methyl phenylalanine analogs yield statistically significant increments in cell viability (Student's t-test < 0.01%) and are nontoxic in the same assay. These promising results indicate that these peptide molecules could be a starting point for the development of potential therapeutic compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.