摘要
The aggregation of amyloid -protein (A ) is tightly linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have found that three peptide inhibitors (i.e., KLVFF, VVIA, and LPFFD) can inhibit A aggregation and alleviate A -induced neurotoxicity. However, atomic details of binding modes and binding affinities between these peptide inhibitors and A have not been revealed. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) analysis, we examined the effect of three peptide inhibitors (KLVFF, VVIA, and LPFFD) on their sequence-specific interactions with A and the molecular basis of their inhibition. All inhibitors exhibit varied binding affinity to A , in which KLVFF has the highest binding affinity, whereas LPFFD has the least. MM/PBSA analysis further revealed that different peptide inhibitors have different modes of interaction with A , consequently hotspot binding residues, and underlying driving forces. Specific residue-based interactions between inhibitors and A were determined and compared for illustrating different binding and inhibition mechanisms. This work provides structure-based binding information for further modification and optimization of these three peptide inhibitors to enhance their binding and inhibitory abilities against A aggregation.