Molecular interactions, structural effects, and binding affinities between silver ions (Ag) and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides.

Because silver is toxic to microbes, but not considered toxic to humans, the metal has been used as an antimicrobial agent since ancient times. Today, silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver are used for antibacterial purposes, and silver-peptide and similar complexes are being developed as therapeutic agents. Yet, the health effects of silver exposure are not fully understood, nor are the molecular details of silver-protein interactions.