AN ANTIBODY THAT BINDS SPECIFICALLY TO AN ALIGOMERIC AMYLOID B (1-42) AND PROCESSES FOR ITS PRODUCTION

摘要

Oligomers (A) of the amyloid beta (1-42) peptide (I) that have apparent molecular weights, in sodium deodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis, of about 15 (A1), 20 (A2), 38 (A3) and 48 (A4) kD, and their derivatives, are new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) composition (B) comprising a mixture of A1 and A2 or of A3 and A4; (2) preparing (A) by treating monomeric (I), or its derivatives, with a detergent; (3) characterizing a substance, or mixture, by contacting with (A), their derivatives, or (B) and determining any binding to (A) or derivatives; (4) substances, or parts of substance mixtures, identified by method (3) as (A)-binding ligands; (5) preparing antibodies (Ab) by immunizing a host with (A), or its derivative, or (B); and (6) Ab prepared by method (5). ACTIVITY : Nootropic; Neuroprotective. No details of tests for these activities are given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : (A) reduce survival of neuronal cells, especially neuroblastoma, by inducing apoptosis, and in vivo they modulate the 'firing' rate of neurons.