As we learned from the videos last week, proteins are some of the most important components of our bodies. A protein is complex; it has four structures – a primary one that orders the amino acids in a protein, a secondary structure which can be in the form of an alpha helix, a beta sheet or a random coil, a tertiary structure that is a complete 3D structure of the protein including all the atom components and a quaternary structure which consists of multiple proteins/peptides joined together. If there is a problem or mutation in this complex protein structure, it can give rise to severe diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
While we have focused on the prion disease in these past few weeks, research suggests that protein misfolding is also responsible for some of the worst neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. While Prion disease, as we learned, occurs in fewer people, Alzheimers accounts for 60% of cases of dementia and has affected over 5 million people in the US alone.
Alzheimers occurs because of an accumulation of a misfolded protein that causes a plaque in the brain. Chromosomes release a small protein to deliver messages. When this protein is released, it folds and if misfolding occurs and accumulates, it prevents brain cells from operating and communicating with one another. Thus it is of the utmost importance to understand proteins and the diseases that result from misfolding so that a cure can be developed, not only for the Prion disease but also for so many other neurogenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
Source: https://www.osc.edu/press/researcher_simulates_alzheimers_protein_misfolding_errors