Takahiko Shimizu

TL;DR: It is shown that mice deficient in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) have features typical of age-related macular degeneration in humans, and these findings provide evidence for the free radical theory of aging.

TL;DR: Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra suggested that beta-sheet content of the Abeta mutants correlates with their aggregation, however, beta-turn is also a critical secondary structure because residues at positions 22 and 23 that preferably form two-residue beta- turn significantly enhanced the aggregative ability.

TL;DR: It is shown for the first time that the oxidative stress caused specific morphological changes of mitochondria, excess formation of superoxide, reduction of ATP, and transcriptional alterations of genes associated with heart failure in respect to cardiac contractility played a pivotal role in the development and progression of heart failure.

TL;DR: The formation of isoaspartate is enhanced in amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and PIMT-deficient mice manifested neurodegenerative changes concomitant with the accumulation of L-isoaspartates in the brain.

TL;DR: The results demonstrate well the large difference in aggregative ability and neurotoxicity between Aβ42 and Aβ40 and are a basis for designing new aggregation inhibitors of Aβ peptides.