Amyloid S is a type of amyloid, which refers to any protein or polypeptide that can be converted into an insoluble fibrous form. It is composed of multiple copies of the same peptide and has a characteristic cross-β structure. Amyloid S was first identified in 1982 by researchers at the University of Tokyo who were studying Alzheimer’s disease (AD). They observed a unique aggregation pattern in certain brain regions associated with AD, leading them to conclude that it must be something other than normal cellular components.
Since its discovery, amyloid S has been studied extensively and found to have numerous roles in the body. It plays an important role in cell signaling pathways, acting as both an activator and inhibitor depending on context. For example, some studies suggest that it may act as an extracellular signal transducer for nerve cells involved in memory formation and storage; while others show that it inhibits neural activation mediated by receptors such as NMDA receptors involved in learning and plasticity processes. In addition to this, amyloid S also appears to play a role in inflammation regulation since high levels have been observed during inflammatory responses triggered by various stimuli including infections or trauma. Furthermore, increased levels of amyloid S are believed to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD due its ability to aggregate around neurons forming plaques which inhibit their functioning over time.
Finally, recent research suggests that there could be potential therapeutic applications for amyloid S related treatments targeting these pathologies by manipulating its expression or activity level within cells or tissues using drugs or genetic engineering techniques respectively; however further investigations are needed before this possibility becomes reality .