Protein misfolding, aggregation and accumulation are common features of multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease or Prion Clearance of protein aggregates may occur either through the boost of the intracellular degradation systems or through the release of the damaged proteins in the extracellular space. Despite the availability of these options for the cells to remove misfolded proteins, in a minority of cases, seeds may persist and initiate a nucleation event, offering the basis for the progressive maturation of amyloid fibrils. Our laboratory is developing techniques to promote the intracellular and extracellular degradation of misfolded proteins based on manipulating the interactions of these protein aggregates with glycans.
