Comparison of Fruit Extracts for inhibiting the Aggregation of Amyloidogenic IAPP
Authors:
Shauna Ekimura, Evangeline Green, Pei-Yu Kao, Catalina Pereira, Karla RomanMentors:
- Luiza Nogaj, Assistant Professor of Biology, Mount St. Mary's College
- David Moffet, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University
The aggregation of the 37-amino acid polypeptide Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP, amylin), as either insoluble amyloid or as small oligomers, appears to play a direct role in the death of pancreatic β-islet cells in type 2 diabetes. It is believed that inhibiting the aggregation of IAPP may slow, if not prevent entirely, the progression of type 2 diabetes. We prepared extracts from 13 different common fruits. Each extract was analyzed for its ability to prevent the aggregation of amyloidogenic IAPP. Thioflavin T binding assays and circular dichroism were used to test the in vitro inhibitory potential of each extract. Atomic force microscopy was used to visualize the formation of amyloid fibers with and without each fruit extract. Finally, extracts were analyzed for their ability to protect living mammalian cells from the toxic effects of IAPP