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Bacteria’s amyloids display surprising structure

Protein clumps in S. aureus differ from those in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s

amyloid-like clumps made by bacteria

PROTEIN POWER  Proteins from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria make amyloid-like clumps (the streamerlike structures in this illustration) that are toxic to human cells.

Dima Abelski/Dimedia

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

Clusters of a toxic bacterial protein have a surprising structure, differing from similar clumps associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in humans, scientists report in the Feb.