Aggregation of peptides and proteins into amyloid structure is one of the most intensively studied biological phenomena at the moment. To date, there is no developed theory that would allow one to determine what kind of mechanism presents in the given experiment on the basis of aggregation kinetic data. Debates concerning the mechanism of the amyloid fibrils formation and, in particular, the size of the amyloidogenic nucleus are still going on. We created such a theory on the basis of the kinetics of amyloid aggregates formation. In the presented chapter, theoretical and experimental approaches were employed for studding the process of amyloid formation by different proteins and peptides. The current kinetic models described in this chapter adequately describe the key features of amyloid nucleation and growth.
Part of the book: Exploring New Findings on Amyloidosis