In vitro degradation of β-amyloid fibrils by microbial keratinase.

Introduction: Amyloid fibrils are misfolded, protease-resistant forms of normal proteins. They are infectious such as prions or noninfectious such as β-amyloid (Aβ) fibrils causing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prions and amyloids are structurally similar, possessing cross β-pleated sheet-like structures.