GM1 ganglioside–bound amyloid β–protein (Aβ): A possible form of preamyloid in Alzheimer's disease

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Abstract
The earliest event so far known that occurs in the brain affected with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition and fibril formation of amyloid β–protein (Aβ). Aβ is cleaved from a glycosylated membrane protein, called β–amyloid protein precursor, and normally secreted into the extracellular space. Here we report on the presence of membrane–bound Aβ that tightly binds CM1 ganglioside. This suggests that this novel Aβ species, rather than secreted Aβ, may act as a ‘seed’ for amyloid and further that intracellular abnormalities in the membrane recycling already exist at the stage of amyloidogenesis