US2005026165A1PendingUtilityA1

Detection of conformationally altered proteins and prions

Priority: May 31, 2001Filed: Dec 4, 2003Published: Feb 3, 2005
Est. expiryMay 31, 2021(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
C07K 14/4711G01N 2800/2828G01N 33/542G01N 33/582G01N 33/6896
59
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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Claims

Abstract

The invention provides methods and kits for detecting conformationally altered proteins and prions in a sample. In one embodiment, the conformationally altered proteins and prions are associated with amyloidogenic diseases.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for detecting ββ-sheet conformation of insoluble proteins or prions in a sample comprising: 
 (a) reacting the sample with one or more α-helix or random coil conformational probes that interact with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample and thereby (i) undergo a conformational conversion to a predominately to ββ-sheet conformation, and (ii) form detectable aggregates with the β-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample; and    (b) detecting levels of detectable aggregates, wherein levels of detectable aggregates correlate to the levels of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.    
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein probe termini are bound to moieties that are optically detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein probe termini are bound to radionucleotide moieties that are detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are complimentary to amino acid sequences of the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acid sequences of the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         7 . A method  claim 6 , wherein one or more of the probes is a palindromic probe.  
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions are selected from the group consisting of low-density lipoprotein receptor, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, Huntingtin, Abeta peptide, prions, insulin-related amyloid, hemoglobin, alpha synuclein, rhodopsin, crystallins, and p53.  
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 1 , where one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).33_mer palindrome  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).33 _mer palindrome  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         11 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO:1 or 29).33_mer palindrome  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         12 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes is a probe comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide Nref 00111747  
       (human)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVG 
                   SEQ ID NO: 4 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                   GVV. 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         13 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   (SEQ ID NO:4). 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMV 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                     
                   GGVV. 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         14 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 1-40 of the A.beta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   (SEQ ID NO:4) 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVG 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                     
                   GVV. 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is equivalent to  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   SEQ ID NO: 8. 
                   KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is homologous to  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   SEQ ID NO: 8. 
                   KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 
                     
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is equivalent to  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   SEQ ID NO: 8 
                   KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         18 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8.  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   SEQ ID NO: 8. 
                   KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 
                     
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO:10)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO:10) 
                   KPKTNLKHVAG AAAAGAVV . 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO:10).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO:10). 
                   KPKTNLKHVAG AAAAGAVV   
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         21 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 104-122 of wild-type  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO:10) 
                   KPKTNLKHVAGAAAAGAVV. 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         22 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; and (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; 
 and (c) has an amino acid sequence that is homologous to SEQ ID NO: 10                                         SEQ ID NO: 10   KPKTNLKHVAGAAAAGAVV.                                 
     
     
         23 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is equivalent to SEQ ID NO: 10                                         SEQ ID NO: 10   KPKTNLKHVAGAAAAGAVV.                                 
     
     
         24 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10                                         SEQ ID NO: 10   KPKTNLKHVAGAAAAGAVV.                                 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probes comprise an extrinsic fluor.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the extrinsic fluor is pyrene.  
     
     
         27 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising reacting the sample and probes prior to detecting with a probe that limits the formation of detectable aggregates to detectable but non-infectious levels.  
     
     
         28 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein levels of detectable aggregates are compared to levels of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions associated with amyloidogenic diseases.  
     
     
         29 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions form amyloid plaques or amyloid deposits associated with amyloidogenic diseases.  
     
     
         30 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is disaggregated prior to reaction with the probe.  
     
     
         31 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a tissue sample or is a liquid biological material obtained from spinal fluid, saliva, urine or other bodily fluids.  
     
     
         32 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein excimers are formed by reacting one or more α-helix or random coil conformational probes with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         33 . A kit comprising one or more α-helix or random coil conformational probes that interact with β-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in a sample and thereby (a) undergo a conformational conversion to a predominately to ββ-sheet conformation, and (b) form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample, wherein levels of detectable aggregates correlate to the levels of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         34 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein probe termini are bound to moieties that are optically detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in a sample.  
     
     
         35 . A kit of  claim 34 , wherein the moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         36 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein probe termini are bound to radionuclide moieties that are detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in a sample.  
     
     
         37 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are complementary to amino acid sequences of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         38 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more of the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acid sequences of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         39 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more of the probes comprise an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 27.  
     
     
         40 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions are selected from the group consisting of low-density lipoprotein receptor, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, Huntingtin, Abeta peptide, prions, insulin-related amyloid, hemoglobin, alpha synuclein, rhodopsin, crystallins, and p53.  
     
     
         41 . A kit of  claim 33 , where one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the human or murine PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         42 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         43 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         44 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes is a probe comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO: 
 4). DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVV    
     
     
         45 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVV. 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         46 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVV. 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         47 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that is equivalent or homologous to SEQ ID NO: 9 or 20.  
     
     
         48 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is homologous to SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         49 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is equivalent to SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         50 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in polylysine and that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 9.  
     
     
         51 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acid sequences 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO: 10).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   KPKTNVKHVAG AAAAGAVV . 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         52 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acid sequences 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO: 10).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   KPKTNVKHVAG AAAAGAVV . 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         53 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acid sequences 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO: 10).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   KPKTNVKHVAG AAAAGAVV . 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         54 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is homologous to SEQ ID NO: 10.    
     
     
         55 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is equivalent to SEQ ID NO: 10.    
     
     
         56 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10.    
     
     
         57 . A kit of  claim 33 , wherein the probes comprise an extrinsic fluor.  
     
     
         58 . A kit of  claim 57 , wherein the extrinsic flour is pyrene.  
     
     
         59 . A kit of  claim 33 , further comprising a pendant probe that limits the formation of detectable aggregates to detectable but non-infectious levels.  
     
     
         60 . A method of diagnosing whether a subject suffers from, or is predisposed to, a disease associated with conformationally altered proteins or prion comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a sample from the subject;    (b) reacting the sample with one or more α-helix or random coil conformational probes that interact with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample and thereby (i) undergo a conformational conversion to a predominately to ββ-sheet conformation, and (ii) form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample; and    (c) detecting levels of detectable aggregates, wherein levels of detectable aggregates correlate to the amount of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in, and level of infectiousness of, the sample and indicate whether the subject suffers from, or is predisposed to, a disease associated with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.    
     
     
         61 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein probe termini are bound to moieties that are optically detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         62 . A method of  claim 61 , wherein the moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         63 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein probe termini are bound to radionuclide moieties that are detectable when the probes form detectable aggregates with the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         64 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are complimentary to amino acid sequences of the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         65 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more of the probes comprise at least two amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acid sequences of the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions.  
     
     
         66 . A method  claim 60 , wherein one or more of the probes comprise an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 27.  
     
     
         67 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions are selected from the group consisting of low-density lipoprotein receptor, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, Huntingtin, Abeta peptide, prions, insulin-related amyloid, hemoglobin, alpha synuclein, rhodopsin, crystallins, transthyretin, gelsolin, cystatins and p53.  
     
     
         68 . A method of  claim 60 , where one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         69 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO:1 or 29)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         70 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes is a palindromic 33_mer comprising amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 122-104 and 109-122 of the PrP SC  protein (SEQ ID NO: 1 or 29).  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   VVAGAAAAGAVHKLNTKPKLKHVAGAAAAGAVV (murine) 
                     
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     VVAGAAAA GAMHKMNTKPKMKHMAG AAAAGAVV (human)   
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         71 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes is a probe comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   (SEQ ID NO:4) 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVG 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                     
                   GVV. 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         72 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are equivalent to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide (SEQ ID NO:4)  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   (SEQ ID NO:4) 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVG 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                     
                   GVV 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         73 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are between about 70% to about 90% identical to amino acids 1-40 of the Abeta peptide  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   (SEQ ID NO:4). 
                   DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMV 
                     
                 
                     
                 
                     
                   GGVV 
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         74 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that is an oligo or polylysine.  
     
     
         75 . A method of  claim 74 , wherein said probe is homologous to SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         76 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein said probe is equivalent to SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         77 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that has a helix-loop-helix conformation found in lysine and that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to oligo- or polylysine.  
     
     
         78 . A method of  claim 61 , wherein one or more probes comprise amino acid sequences that are homologous or equivalent to amino acids 104-122 of wild-type (wt) TSE (SEQ ID NO:10).  
     
     
         79 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is homologous or equivalent to SEQ ID NO: 10.    
     
     
         80 . A method of  claim 61 , wherein one or more probes comprise an amino acid sequence that: (a) is a selectively mutated TSE sequence; (b) is destabilized and noninfectious; and 
 (c) has an amino acid sequence that is between about 70% to about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10.    
     
     
         81 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the probes comprise an extrinsic fluor.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the extrinsic flour is pyrene.  
     
     
         83 . A method of  claim 60 , further comprising reacting the sample and probes prior to detecting with a pendant probe that limits the formation of detectable aggregates to detectable but non-infectious levels.  
     
     
         84 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein levels of detectable aggregates are compared to levels of ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions associated with amyloidogenic diseases.  
     
     
         85 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions form amyloid plaques or amyloid deposits associated with amyloidogenic diseases.  
     
     
         86 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the sample is disaggregated prior to reaction with the probe.  
     
     
         87 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the sample is a tissue sample or is a liquid biological material obtained from spinal fluid, saliva, urine or other bodily fluids.  
     
     
         88 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein exi_mers are formed by reacting one or more α-helix or random coil conformational probes with ββ-sheet conformation insoluble proteins or prions in the sample.  
     
     
         89 . A palindromic peptide probe comprising three peptide sections, a first peptide section, a second peptide section and a third peptide section, said first and said third sections comprising peptide sequences each of which comprises at least 5 amino acids identical to a peptide fragment from a target insoluble protein which is responsible for ββ-sheet formation in said target insoluble protein and wherein at least a portion of said first peptide section is a palindrome of at least a portion of said third peptide section, said first peptide section or said third peptide section being identical to at least a five amino acid peptide sequence in said peptide fragment from said target insoluble protein, said second peptide sequence comprising between 1 and 10 amino acid units one of which is a proline residue.  
     
     
         90 . The probe according to  claim 89  wherein said first and said third sections are endcapped with hydrophobic amino acids which can be chemically modified or complexed to accommodate a chemical moiety capable of being measured.  
     
     
         91 . The probe according to  claim 90  wherein said chemical moiety is a chromophore and both said first and third peptide sections of said probe comprise said chromophore.  
     
     
         92 . The probe according to  claim 90  wherein said chromophore is selected from the group consisting of pyrene, tryoptophan, fluresceing rhodamine.  
     
     
         93 . The probe according to  claim 92  which is in the form of an excimer.  
     
     
         94 . The probe according to  claim 89  wherein said second proline section comprises between 1 and 5 amino acid residues all of which are proline residues.  
     
     
         95 . The probe according to  claim 89  wherein said target peptide is selected from the group consisting of low-density lipoprotein receptor, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, Huntingtin, Abeta peptide, prions, insulin-related amyloid, hemoglobin, alpha synuclein, rhodopsin, crystallins, transthyretin, gelsolin, cystatins and p53.  
     
     
         96 . The probe according to  claim 89  wherein said first peptide section and said third peptide section consist of identical amino acids.  
     
     
         97 . The probe according to  claim 89  wherein said first and said second peptide sections each comprise about 10 to about 25 amino acid residues.  
     
     
         98 . The palindromic probe according to  claim 89  selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 18, 23, 25, 27 and 29.  
     
     
         99 . The method according to  claim 60  wherein said disease is Alzheimer's Disease, Prion diseases, Creutzfeld Jakob disease, scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (PrP Sc ); ALS (SOD and neurofilament); Pick's disease; Parkinson's disease, Frontotemporal dementia; Diabetes Type II (Amylin); Multiple myeloma—plasma cell dyscrasias; Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy; Medullary carcinoma of thyroid; 
 Chronic renal failure, Congestive heart failure, Senile cardiac and systemic amyloidosis (Transthyretin), Chronic inflammation, Atherosclerosis, Familial amyloidosis, or Huntington's disease.

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