A molecule found in green tea helped UCLA biochemists in the discovery of multiple molecules capable of destroying tau fibers. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers used a molecule present in green tea to uncover more molecules that may break up protein tangles in the brain, wh
The green tea molecule, known as EGCG, is known to break up tau fibers, which are lengthy, multilayered filaments that create tangles that target neurons and cause them to die.
UCLA biochemists detail how EGCG breaks tau fibers layer by layer in a paper that was recently published in the journal. They also describe how they found other compounds that are likely to function in the same manner and might be better potential candidates for drugs than EGCG, which has difficulty penetrating the brain.
EGCG has been studied extensively but has never worked as a drug for Alzheimer’s because its ability to dismantle tau fibers works best in water, and it doesn’t enter cells or the brain easily. Also, as soon as EGCG enters the bloodstream it binds to many proteins besides tau fibers, weakening its efficacy.
“The EGCG molecules bind to each layer of the fibers, but the molecules want to be closer together. As they move together the fiber snaps,” Eisenberg said.
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