Although it has been thought that the mature<unk>  aggregates themselves are toxic, evidence suggests that it is in fact immature<unk>  aggregates that are most toxic. The hydrophobic patches of these aggregates can interact with other components of the cell and damage them. The hypotheses are that the toxicity of<unk>  aggregates is related to mechanisms of the sequestration of cellular components, the generation of reactive oxygen species and the binding to specific receptors in the membrane or through the disruption of membranes. A quantitative assay has been used to determine that higher molecular weight species are responsible for the membrane permeation. It is known that<unk>  aggregates in vitro can destabilize artificial phospholipid bilayers, leading to permeabilization of the membrane.
Protein aggregation
Protein toxicity
Cell damage
Protozoan infection
Anaerobic infection
Calcification
Crystallopathy
Lipid storage disorder