AlphaFold Reveals a Key Protein Behind Heart Disease

This post details how AlphaFold was used in conjunction with cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to map the structure of the apoB100 protein, the key component of LDL ("bad cholesterol"). The authors describe the process of using AlphaFold to generate atomic-resolution predictions and then refining these predictions against experimental cryo-EM data. This combined approach enabled the detailed visualization of apoB100's structure, which was previously impossible due to its size and complex interactions with fats and other molecules. The breakthrough provides a structural understanding of how LDL becomes harmful, paving the way for more targeted treatments for ASCVD.