Amyloid Proteins: The Beta Sheet Conformation and Disease

A first-stop reference on proteins associated with amyloidosis. This book is the first to present a systematic overview of all known fibril-forming proteins, including their biochemical characteristics and pathophysiology. It considers the clinically recognized amyloid proteins that are known to be associated with the amyloid protein folding disorders, dealing with their common structural and thermodynamic features that lead to amyloid fibril formation and disease. Emphasis is on the thermodynamics of protein folding, the structure and physiologic effects of common oligomeric and subfibrillar intermediates and the influence of the extracellular matrix and cellular trafficking and metabolism on the genesis and catabolism of beta pleated sheet proteins. The chapters on specific amyloid proteins all follow a common structure, allowing quick access to the desired biochemical and medical data, making this an invaluable tool for clinicians and researchers alike.