Neuropeptide Y structure is modulated by aluminium in the hypothalamus

Aluminium is an element suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzh eimer's disease, but its mechanism of action is not clear. Neuropeptide Y ( NPY) plays a significant role in feeding behaviour. Our spectroscopic, ELIS A, and western blot studies indicate that aluminium interacts with neuropep tide Y and alters significantly the a-helical content. We found that alumin ium reduced levels of NPY in the hypothalamus of aged rabbits. NPY polyclon al antibody interaction was found to depend upon the alpha-helical content of NPY. These results clearly show that aluminium alters NPY structure and this could explain the abnormality in feeding behaviour seen in patients wi th Alzheimer's disease.