Fehérjeaggregátumok

Fehérjeaggregátumok refers to the abnormal clumping or aggregation of proteins within or outside cells. Proteins are essential molecules that perform a vast array of functions in living organisms, and their correct folding and structure are crucial for their activity. When proteins misfold, they can expose hydrophobic regions, leading them to stick to each other and form aggregates. These aggregates can vary in size and structure, ranging from small soluble oligomers to large insoluble fibrils and plaques.

The formation of fehérjeaggregátumok is implicated in a wide range of diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. In these conditions, specific proteins like amyloid-beta, tau, alpha-synuclein, and huntingtin are prone to misfolding and aggregation in brain cells. The accumulation of these aggregates can disrupt normal cellular functions, leading to neuronal dysfunction and death.

Beyond neurodegeneration, protein aggregation also plays a role in other diseases, including certain types of cancer, diabetes, and systemic amyloidoses. The cellular mechanisms involved in preventing protein aggregation, such as chaperone proteins and the ubiquitin-proteasome system, can become overwhelmed when the rate of misfolding and aggregation increases. Research into understanding the formation and toxicity of fehérjeaggregátumok is ongoing, aiming to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent their formation or promote their clearance.