showing 3 related works from this author
Trehalose effects on α-crystallin aggregates
2007
alpha-Crystallin in its native state is a large, heterogeneous, low-molecular weight (LMW) aggregate that under certain conditions may progressively became part of insoluble high-molecular weight (HMW) systems. These systems are supposed to play a relevant role in eye lens opacification and vision impairment. In this paper, we report the effects of trehalose on alpha-crystallin aggregates. The role of trehalose in alpha-crystallin stress tolerance, chaperone activity and thermal stability is studied. The results show that trehalose stabilizes the alpha-crystallin native structure, inhibits alpha-crystallin aggregation, and disaggregates preformed LMW systems not affecting its chaperone acti…
Aß(25-35) and its C-and/or N-blocked derivatives: copper driven structural features and neurotoxicity
2006
The toxic properties of beta-amyloid protein, Abeta(1-42), the major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, depend on nucleation-dependent oligomerization and aggregation. In addition, Abeta(1-42) toxicity is favored by the presence of trace metals, which affect the secondary structure of the peptide. A peptide comprising 11 residues within Abeta(1-42) [Abeta(25-35)] aggregates and retains the neurotoxic activity of Abeta(1-42). We have used both Abeta(25-35) and its C-amidated or N-acetylated/C-amidated derivatives to investigate the role of copper(II) in modulating the conformation and aggregation state as well as the neurotoxic properties of amyloid peptides. Electrospray io…
SURFACE EFFECTS ON THE GROWTH OF SOLUTION PROCESSED PENTACENE THIN FILMS
2008
13,6-N-Sulfinylacetamidopentacene (SAP) has been transferred on solid substrates both by water-rich environment and organic solvents without altering his chemical structure. Thermal conversion of SAP to pentacene leads to crystals showing similar features of vacuum-sublimated pentacene both in the bulk and thin-film phases. The thin-film phase is strongly affected by the substrate surface properties. Low energy Si-CH3 rich surfaces allow for the formation of compact micrometric crystals following a Volmer-Weber like growth with orientation suitable for field-effect carrier mobility. Screw dislocations along with straight edges are found on these systems as an indication of a loose interlaye…