1st Edition

The Functional Fold Amyloid Structures in Nature

Edited By Suzi Jarvis, Anika Mostaert Copyright 2012
    198 Pages 28 Color & 26 B/W Illustrations
    by Jenny Stanford Publishing

    Bringing together a wide variety of examples of functional amyloid in a single volume, this book explores the importance of amyloid fibrils in fungi, bacteria, algae, invertebrate, and vertebrate animals for providing environmental protection, structural integrity, and regulating biochemical processes. It highlights many of the extraordinary examples of functional amyloid found to date. It, therefore, provides an exciting perspective for the study of amyloid deposits as important and useful protein structures widespread in nature.

    The World of Functional Amyloid
    Protein Misfolding and Aggregation
    Structural Properties of Amyloid
    Amyloid Formation Mechanisms
    Amyloid as a Pathological Entity
    Amyloid Is a Functional Protein Quaternary Structure
    Challenges and Future Directions
    Hagfish Slime Threads
    Introduction
    Are Hagfish Slime Threads "Disposable Amyloid"?
    Slime Threads Are Bundles of Intermediate Filaments
    Mechanical Properties
    Structural Considerations
    Implications for Other Materials Containing Intermediate Filaments
    Conclusions and Outlook
    Fungal Fibrils: Application of the Amyloid Polymer Structure by Fungi
    Introduction
    Early Observations of Rodlets
    The Two Classes of Hydrophobins
    Hydrophobins and Amyloid
    Structural Change During Rodlet Formation
    Specialization and Functional Significance of These Functional Amyloids
    Conclusions
    Silkmoth Chorion: A Natural Protective Amyloid
    Introduction
    Silkmoth Chorion Protein Peptide-Analogues
    Model Structure of Silkmoth Chorion Amyloidogenic Peptides
    Sikmoth Chorion: A Natural Protective Amyloid
    Spider Silk
    Introduction
    Overview of Silk Structure, Mechanics, and Assembly
    Conclusion
    Yeast Prions: Their Assembly into Protein Fibrils and the Role of Assembly Modulators
    Introduction
    Prions in Yeast
    The [PSI+], [PIN], [URE3], and [Het-s] Phenotypes
    In vitro Assembly of Sup35p, Rnq1p, Ure2p, and HET-s into Protein Fibrils
    Structural Basis of Yeast Prion Propagation
    Structural Models at an Atomic Resolution for Fibrillar Prion Proteins
    Molecular Chaperones and the Propagation of Yeast Prions
    Nature of the Infectious Form of Yeast Prions
    Conclusions and Outlook
    Curli Extracellular Matrix
    Bacterial Biofilms and the Curli Extracellular Matrix
    The Curli Gene Cluster
    From Regulation to Secretion
    Curli Biogenesis: Mechanism, Kinetics, and Fibril Structure
    Functional Role of Curli
    Summary
    Amyloid-Based Natural Adhesives and Cements
    Introduction to Natural Adhesives
    Amyloid in Natural Adhesives
    AFM as a Tool for Exploring Natural Adhesives
    Biomimetic Development of Amyloid- Inspired Adhesives
    Conclusions
    Mammalian Functional Amyloid
    Amyloid as a Structural and Regulatory Component of Haemostasis
    Amyloid Coordinates Melanin Biosynthesis in Mammals
    Conclusion
    Unfolding the Future
    The Field to Date
    The Challenge of Identification
    The Latest Discoveries
    Relevance to the Field of Pathogenic Amyloid
    Applications of Functional Amyloid
    Conclusions

    Biography

    Suzi Jarvis, Anika Mostaert