Trace concentrations, heavy implications: Influences of biometals on major brain pathologies of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that involves accumulation of toxic protein species, notably amyloid-β (Aβ)plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles that are associated with cognitive decline. These proteins can bind metal ions, ultimately affecting their structure and function. In this review, we discuss key biometals such as zinc, copper, and iron that interact with protein species involved in AD, mainly Aβ, tau, and the late-onset AD risk factor Apolipoprotein E (APOE).

Condensation-Incompetent Ketosynthase Inhibits trans-Acyltransferase Activity.

Nonelongating modules with condensation-incompetent ketosynthase (KS) are frequently found in many trans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases ( trans-AT PKS). KS catalyzes translocation of carbon chain without decarboxylative condensation. Unlike typical elongating modules where malonylation of acyl carrier protein (ACP) precedes elongation, the malonylation of ACP downstream of KS is assumed to be prevented.