Retromer (IMAGE) Columbia University Irving Medical Center Caption Researchers have identified a new class of compounds -- pharmacologic chaperones -- that can stabilize the retromer protein complex (the blue and orange structure shows part of the complex). Retromer plays a vital role in keeping amyloid precursor from being cleaved and producing the toxic byproduct amyloid beta, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer's. The study found that when the chaperone named R55 (the multicolored molecule) was added to neurons in cell culture, it bound to and stabilized retromer, increasing retromer levels and lowering amyloid-beta levels. Credit <i>Nature Chemical Biology</i> and lab of Scott A. Small, MD/Columbia University Medical Center Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.