Insulin adsorption onto zinc oxide nanoparticle mediates conformational rearrangement into amyloid-prone structure with enhanced cytotoxic propensity

ConclusionsThe presence of ZnONP interface enhances fibrillation of insulin at physiological pH by providing a favourable template for the nucleation and growth of insulin amyloids.General significance.The studied protein-nanoparticle system from protein conformational dynamics point of view throws caution over nanoparticle use in biological applications, especially in vivo applications, considering the amyloidosis a very slow but non-curable degenerative disease.Graphical abstract
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) General Subjects - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research