我国学者在蛋白质相互作用中发现“榫卯”结构

Core Insights - The research team discovered a previously unrecognized molecular connection method in protein aggregates, resembling the traditional Chinese architectural "mortise and tenon" structure, which is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [1] Group 1: Research Methodology - The team utilized scanning tunneling microscopy to capture the real-time dynamic changes of proteins at the atomic scale, allowing for the identification of atomic positioning signals through weak electrical current variations [3] - A novel quantitative analysis method was developed to transform seemingly chaotic molecular images into comparable and quantifiable data, enabling the assessment of structural order within different regions of the aggregates [3] Group 2: Key Findings - The research identified that a small number of peptide chains extend from the β-sheet structure of the aggregates, forming critical bridging structures that tightly connect different layers, akin to a "mortise and tenon" joint [3] - These rare structural connections play a significant role in the stability of protein aggregates, and any mismatch in these connections could impact the formation and pathological functions of the aggregates [3][4] Group 3: Implications for Disease Research - The established quantitative analysis methods provide new perspectives for understanding how protein aggregates balance structural stability and diversity, opening new avenues for studying the mechanisms of related diseases [4]