Injection of the amyloid β-protein fragment VHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNK into different limbic system structures in mice impaired retention with remarkably similar efficacy and in a dose-dependent manner. Aβ (12-28) and other Aβ fragments may exert dysregulatory cognitive effects by incoordination of K⁺ channel function in neurons, glia and endothelial cells. Aß (12–28) residues are the binding site for apolipoprotein E (apoE) on Aß. This sequence encompasses a hydrophobic domain (residues 14–21) and a ß-turn (residues 22–28) which place two hydrophobic domains of Aß 14 to 21 and 29 to 40/42 opposite each other, allowing for the assembly of Aß peptides into fibrils. The secondary structure of Aß (12- 28), a neutral peptide, is dominated by a-helix and random coil. The interaction of apoE with residues 12 to 28 of Aß is not just a non-specific hydrophobic interaction but plays a pivotal role in the mechanism of Aß pathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aß (11-28) and five other fragments enhanced aggregation of full length Aß (1-40). All of the peptides that enhance aggregation contained either residues 17 to 20 or 30 to 35, indicating the importance of these regions for promoting aggregation of full-length Aß.
