Influence of a curcumin derivative on hIAPP aggregation in the absence and presence of lipid membranes.

Abstract

The deposition of aggregates of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) has been correlated with the death of β-cells in type II diabetes mellitus. The actual molecular mechanism of cell death remains largely unknown; however, it has been postulated that the process of aggregation from monomeric hIAPP is closely involved. A possible cause of cellular toxicity may be through the disruption of structural integrity of the cell membrane by IAPP. Herein, a water-soluble curcumin derivative, CurDAc, is used to investigate the mitigation of hIAPP aggregation in the absence and presence of lipid membrane.