Molecular Binding Site in Alzheimer's Disease Identified

A probe invented at Rice University that lights up when it binds to a misfolded amyloid beta peptide--the kind suspected of causing Alzheimer's disease--has identified a specific binding site on the protein that could facilitate better drugs to treat the disease. Even better, the lab has discovered that when the metallic probe is illuminated, it catalyzes oxidation of the protein in a way they believe might keep it from aggregating in the brains of patients.