ANN ARBORResearchers at the University of Michigan have found a new potential benefit of a molecule in green tea: preventing the misfolding of specific proteins in the brain.
The aggregation of these proteins, called metal-associated amyloids, is associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
A paper published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explained how U-M Life Sciences Institute faculty member Mi Hee Lim and an interdisciplinary team of researchers used green tea extract to control the generation of metal-associated amyloid-β aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease in the lab.
The specific molecule in green tea, ()-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, also known as EGCG, prevented aggregate formation and broke down existing aggregate structures in the proteins that contained metalsspecifically copper, iron and zinc.
"A lot of people are very excited about this molecule," said Lim, noting that the EGCG and other flavonoids in natural products have long been established as powerful antioxidants. "We used a multidisciplinary approach. This is the first example of structure-centric, multidisciplinary investigations by three principal investigators with three different areas of expertise."
The research team included chemists, biochemists and biophysicists.
While many researchers are investigating small molecules and metal-associated amyloids, most are looking from a limited perspective, said Lim, assistant professor of chemistry and research assistant professor at the Life Sciences Institute, where her lab is located and her research is conducted.
"But we believe you have to have a lot of approaches working together, because the brain is very complex," she said.
The PNAS paper was a starting point, Lim said, and her team's next step is to "tweak" the molecule and then test its ability to interfere with plaque formation in fruit f
'/>"/>
| Contact: Laura J. Williams laurajw@umich.edu 734-615-4862 University of Michigan Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. New method for greenhouse gas predictions
2. Gene discovery reveals importance of eating your greens
3. Experts to calculate potential of Greenlandic mineral wealth
4. Colorado Marijuana Task Force Gives Green Light To "Pot Tourism"
5. What green algae are up to in the dark
6. Cities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent, says U of T researcher
7. New guide will allow electric utilities to develop Green Button Web tools
8. Aarhus University builds research station in North Greenland
9. In beef production, cow-calf phase contributes most greenhouse gases
10. Analysis of Greenland ice cores adds to historical record and provide glimpse into climates future
11. Toward reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the Internet and telecommunications
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |