P-glycoprotein removes Alzheimer’s-associated toxin from the brain

P-glycoprotein removes Alzheimer's-associated toxin from the brain
(A) The first frame of SMU’s simulation shows amyloid-β bound to the drug binding domains of P-gp. (B) The final frame of the same simulation shows P-gp pushing an amyloid protein through the cell membrane to outside the cell. Credit: Lauren Ammerman

A team of SMU biological scientists has confirmed that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has the ability to remove from the brain a toxin that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The finding could lead to new treatments for the disease that affects nearly 6 million Americans. It was that hope that motivated lead researchers James W. McCormick and Lauren Ammerman to pursue the research as SMU graduate students after they…

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