The molecular origins of neuro-COVID, and how it contributes to #LongCovid (PASC) are unknown, however a growing body of research highlights that the self-assembly of protein fragments from SARS-CoV-2 into amyloid nanofibrils may play a causative role. 1/
Earlier, researchers identified two fragments from the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, ORF 6 & ORF10, that self-assemble into neurotoxic amyloid assemblies.
Here they show the self-assembly mechanisms & nano-architectures formed by these fragments and their biological responses. 2/
By solubilising the peptides in a fluorinated solvent, they eliminated insoluble aggregates in the starting materials (seeds) that change the polymorphic landscape of the assemblies. 3/
The resultant assemblies are dominated by structures with higher free energies (e.g. ribbons and amorphous aggregates) that are less toxic to cultured neurons but do affect their mitochondrial respiration. 4/
The researchers also show the first direct evidence of cellular uptake of viral amyloids. 5/
This work highlights the importance of understanding the polymorphic behaviour of amyloids and the correlation to neurotoxicity, particularly in the context of neuro-COVID & PASC. 6/6
pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/Art…
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