The Amyloid–Congo Red Interface at Atomic Resolution

The analytical “gold standard” for amyloid characterization and diagnostics, Congo red, was studied in complex with an amyloid (see picture). Based on details of the binding mode, a point mutation of the amyloid was prepared which has the same three-dimensional structure as the wild-type protein but is not congophilic. This surprising specificity may aid in the design of selective anti-amyloidogenic drugs.