LAUSR

Abstract The effect of gold nanoparticle-decorated molybdenum sulfide (AuNP-MoS2) nanocomposites on amyloid-β-40 (Aβ40) aggregation was investigated. The interesting discovery was that the effect of AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites on Aβ40 aggregation was contradictory. Low concentration of AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites could enhance the nucleus formation of Aβ40 peptides and accelerate Aβ40 fibrils aggregation. However, although high concentration of AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites could enhance the nucleus formation of Aβ40 peptides, it eventually inhibited Aβ40 aggregation process. It might be attributed to the interaction between AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites and Aβ40 peptides. For low concentration of AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites, it was acted as nuclei, resulting in the acceleration of the nucleation process. However, the structural flexibility of Aβ40 peptides was limited as the concentration of AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites was increased, resulting in the inhibition of Aβ40 aggregation. These findings suggested that AuNP-MoS2 nanocomposites might have a great potential to design new multifunctional material for future treatment of amyloid-related diseases.