Abstract
Previously we demonstrated that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation protects neurons against beta-amyloid (Aβ)-induced cytotoxicity. In the present study, the effects of nicotinic receptor agonists on the β-sheet formation were investigated using a thioflavin T (ThT)-based fluorescence assay. Nicotine, cytisine (an α4β2 agonist), and 3-(2, 4)-dimethoxybenzylidene anabaseine (DMXB, an α7 agonist) did not reduce fluorescence intensity when these agents were added to the β-sheet-formed Aβ. Simultaneous incubation of Aβ with nicotinic agonists also did not cause a reduction in fluorescence intensity. This data suggests that nicotinic receptor agonists do not influence the formation of the β-sheet structure.
