" Interestingly, the existence of chaperones implies that some proteins
have inherently unstable conformations that can "flip" from a
functional minimal-energy state to a state that is nonfunctional or even
toxic." Nature
General susceptability
Pathophysiology
Amyloids
"Misfolded proteins (also called toxic conformations) are typically
insoluble, and they tend to form long linear or fibrillar aggregates
known as amyloid deposits. " Nature
"...the transition from alpha helix to beta sheet is characteristic of
amyloid deposits. The abnormal conformational transition from alpha
helix to beta sheet exposes hydrophobic amino acid residues and
promotes protein aggregation." Nature
Tau proteins
Energy funnel
Multiple low-energy
folding states
One functional
"As we age... ...the delicate balance of the synthesis, folding, and
degradation of proteins is perturbed, resulting in the production
and accumulation of misfolded proteins that form aggregates"
Nature