Graduation Year
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Granting Department
Chemistry
Major Professor
Li-June Ming, Ph.D.
Keywords
Alzheimer's, Amyloid, Flavonoids, Tyrosinase, Metzincins
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with loss of neurons ultimately leading to a decline in brain function. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders that affects 16 million people worldwide. The cause of the disease remains unknown, although significant evidence proposes the amyloid Beta-peptide (A-Beta) as a potential culprit. The binding of Cu2+ by the soluble fragments of A-Beta have shown to form Type-3 copper centers and catalyze the oxidation of catechol-containing neurotransmitters. Furthermore, the use of flavonoids as antioxidants to slow or inhibit the neurotransmitter oxidation has suggested further health benefits with their consumption. A structure-function correlation is also made between the flavonoids and their reactively with Cu2+-A-Beta. Mechanistic insight into the binding of catechol and dioxygen within the tyrosinase-like mechanism are made using a metallopeptide modeling the active site of the metzinicins.
Scholar Commons Citation
Juneja, Kashmir Singh, "Tyrosinase-like activity of several Alzheimer's disease related and model peptides and their inhibition by natural antioxidants" (2006). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/2576
