原子力显微镜在Alzheimer病发病机制研究中的应用

原子力显微镜(AFM)是一种新型的纳米显微技术,具有标本制备简单、分辨率高等优点,并能够在生理条件下对生物样品进行观察,成为神经生物学研究的有力工具。β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)溶解性的转变在Alzheimer病发病机制中起重要作用。国内外大量研究表明,AFM已成功地应用于Aβ纤维化各阶段的研究中,从而使药物治疗干预Aβ纤维化成为可能。我们综述了AFM的原理及其在生物结构研究中的技术要点,举例说明了它在Alzheimer病(AD)发病机制,尤其是在Aβ及Aβ寡聚体研究中的作用。

Applications of AFM in Mechanism Study of Alzheimer''''s Disease

Atomic force microscope (AFM) has become a well-established technique for biological sample imaging under physiological conditions. The unique capacity to produce nanometer scale resolution images with simple specimen preparation enables AFM to serve as a powerful tool in neurobiology research. Extensive studies suggest that the conversion of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide from soluble forms into fibrillar structure is a key factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AFM has provided useful insights at all stages of Abeta fibrillization, thus making therapeutic strategy possible. In this brief review, the principles and techniques of AFM and their effects on the pathogenetic study of AD, especially on the study of Abeta and Abeta oligomer are outlined.