The Functional Fold Amyloid Structures in Nature

Bringing together a wide variety of examples of functional amyloid in a single volume, this book explores the importance of amyloid fibrils in fungi, bacteria, algae, invertebrate, and vertebrate animals for providing environmental protection, structural integrity, and regulating biochemical processes. It highlights many of the extraordinary examples of functional amyloid found to date. It, therefore, provides an exciting perspective for the study of amyloid deposits as important and useful protein structures widespread in nature.

The World of Functional AmyloidProtein Misfolding and AggregationStructural Properties of AmyloidAmyloid Formation MechanismsAmyloid as a Pathological EntityAmyloid Is a Functional Protein Quaternary StructureChallenges and Future DirectionsHagfish Slime ThreadsIntroductionAre Hagfish Slime Threads "Disposable Amyloid"?Slime Threads Are Bundles of Intermediate FilamentsMechanical PropertiesStructural ConsiderationsImplications for Other Materials Containing Intermediate FilamentsConclusions and OutlookFungal Fibrils: Application of the Amyloid Polymer Structure by FungiIntroductionEarly Observations of RodletsThe Two Classes of HydrophobinsHydrophobins and AmyloidStructural Change During Rodlet FormationSpecialization and Functional Significance of These Functional AmyloidsConclusionsSilkmoth Chorion: A Natural Protective AmyloidIntroductionSilkmoth Chorion Protein Peptide-AnaloguesModel Structure of Silkmoth Chorion Amyloidogenic PeptidesSikmoth Chorion: A Natural Protective AmyloidSpider SilkIntroductionOverview of Silk Structure, Mechanics, and AssemblyConclusionYeast Prions: Their Assembly into Protein Fibrils and the Role of Assembly ModulatorsIntroductionPrions in YeastThe [PSI+], [PIN], [URE3], and [Het-s] PhenotypesIn vitro Assembly of Sup35p, Rnq1p, Ure2p, and HET-s into Protein FibrilsStructural Basis of Yeast Prion PropagationStructural Models at an Atomic Resolution for Fibrillar Prion ProteinsMolecular Chaperones and the Propagation of Yeast PrionsNature of the Infectious Form of Yeast PrionsConclusions and OutlookCurli Extracellular MatrixBacterial Biofilms and the Curli Extracellular MatrixThe Curli Gene ClusterFrom Regulation to SecretionCurli Biogenesis: Mechanism, Kinetics, and Fibril StructureFunctional Role of CurliSummaryAmyloid-Based Natural Adhesives and CementsIntroduction to Natural AdhesivesAmyloid in Natural AdhesivesAFM as a Tool for Exploring Natural AdhesivesBiomimetic Development of Amyloid- Inspired AdhesivesConclusionsMammalian Functional AmyloidAmyloid as a Structural and Regulatory Component of HaemostasisAmyloid Coordinates Melanin Biosynthesis in MammalsConclusionUnfolding the FutureThe Field to DateThe Challenge of IdentificationThe Latest DiscoveriesRelevance to the Field of Pathogenic AmyloidApplications of Functional Amyloid Conclusions