Protein Structures, Aggregation, Misfolding, Induction Factors and Precision Medicine

The aggregation of protein is a complex process influenced by various factors resulting in a wide range of debilitating disorders. These are characterized by the deposition of insoluble plaques consisting of amyloid fibrils rich in β-sheet structures. Many natural proteins form amyloid fibrils and build-up misfolded or aggregated disease-specific proteins in the tissues causing human diseases. The present chapter deals with protein structures, aggregation, misfolding, induction factors, and their involvement in human disease and implications in precision medicine. We have discussed the role of functional amyloids in portraying the mechanism of its formation, highlighting the method of detection of diverse types of aggregates. Moreover, we also contextualized therapeutic strategies to combat the process of aggregation keeping in view that this is a broad field of research that ranges from biophysics to clinical trials. Despite visible progress in the field of biochemistry, we still have questions regarding the aggregation and co-aggregation of protein molecules. However, with the present level of knowledge, it is envisaged that accurate treatments against diseases related to aggregation would be feasible in near future.

Keywords: Human diseases, Induction factor, Protein aggregation, Protein misfolding, Precision medicine, Proteins structures.