Cu2+ Inhibits the Aggregation of Amyloid β-Peptide(1-42) in vitro.

A distinct biochemical role of Cu2+ as an inhibitor in the aggregation of the peptide Aβ(42) in vitro was revealed by thioflavin T fluorescence assay and atomic force microscopy. The Cu2+ -Aβ(42) complex is responsible for the inhibition because it stabilizes the soluble form of Aβ(42) and controls the conformational transition ([Eq. (1)]; ki =[Aβ(42)][Cu2+ ]/[Cu2+ -Aβ(42)]).