Biomaterial Database

X-ray diffraction studies of amyloid structure. 2005

O Sumner Makin, and Louise C Serpell

Structural Medicine Unit, Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Elucidation of the underlying core structure of amyloid fibrils is essential for understanding the mechanism by which amyloid fibrils are formed and deposited. Conventional methods of X-ray crystallography and NMR cannot be used, since the fibers are insoluble and heterogeneous. X-ray fiber diffraction is one method that has been successfully used to examine the structure of these insoluble fibers. The procedure involves the formation of suitable, ordered amyloid fibrils and characterization (by electron microscopy), partial alignment of fibers, X-ray data collection, data analysis, and finally, model building.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D002623	Chemistry Techniques, Analytical	Methodologies used for the isolation, identification, detection, and quantitation of chemical substances.	Analytical Chemistry Techniques,Analytical Chemistry Methods,Analytical Chemistry Method,Analytical Chemistry Technique,Chemistry Method, Analytical,Chemistry Methods, Analytical,Chemistry Technique, Analytical,Method, Analytical Chemistry,Methods, Analytical Chemistry,Technique, Analytical Chemistry,Techniques, Analytical Chemistry
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000682	Amyloid	A fibrous protein complex that consists of proteins folded into a specific cross beta-pleated sheet structure. This fibrillar structure has been found as an alternative folding pattern for a variety of functional proteins. Deposits of amyloid in the form of AMYLOID PLAQUES are associated with a variety of degenerative diseases. The amyloid structure has also been found in a number of functional proteins that are unrelated to disease.	Amyloid Fibril,Amyloid Fibrils,Amyloid Substance,Fibril, Amyloid,Fibrils, Amyloid,Substance, Amyloid
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014961	X-Ray Diffraction	The scattering of x-rays by matter, especially crystals, with accompanying variation in intensity due to interference effects. Analysis of the crystal structure of materials is performed by passing x-rays through them and registering the diffraction image of the rays (CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, X-RAY). (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Xray Diffraction,Diffraction, X-Ray,Diffraction, Xray,Diffractions, X-Ray,Diffractions, Xray,X Ray Diffraction,X-Ray Diffractions,Xray Diffractions