Cytotoxicity of albebetin oligomers depends on cross-β-sheet formation

Pretibrillar cytotoxicity was suggested as a common amyloid characteristic. We showed two types of albebetin prefibrillar oligomers are formed during incubation at pH 7.3. Initial round-shaped oligomers consist of 10-15 molecules determined by atomic force microscopy, do not bind thioflavin-T and do not affect viability of granular neurons and SHSY5Y cells. They are converted into ca. 30-40-mers possessing cross-beta-sheet and reducing viability of neuronal cells. Neither monomers nor fibrils possess cytotoxicity. We suggest that oligomeric size is important for stabilising cross-beta-sheet core critical for cytotoxicity. As albebetin was used as a carrier-protein for drug delivery, examination of amyloidogenicity is required prior polypeptide biomedical applications. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.