Very small changes in the peptide sequence alter the redox properties of Aβ(11-16)-Cu(II) and pAβ(11–16)-Cu(II) β-amyloid complexes

[Display omitted] •Voltammetry was used to study Aβ(11-16)-Cu and pAβ(11-16)-Cu complexes.•ATCUN peptide - Aβ(11-16) stabilises the Cu(II) and inhibits the Cu(II)/Cu(I) reduction.•In pyroglutamated Aβ the Cu(II)/Cu(I) process is active at physiologically relevant potentials.•Weaker pAβ(11-16)-Cu(II) interaction may increase ROS production. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and oxidative stress is a major factor in its pathogenesis. It is known that copper(II) ions forming complexes with peptides from the β-amyloid (Aβ) group can facilitate the production of reactive oxygen species. A very common amyloid in AD brain plaques Aβ(11-42) form very stable Cu(II)-complexes that suppress ROS formation. However, when glutamic acid in Aβ(11-42) undergoes dehydration form cyclic pyroglutamate, resulting in a new derivative pAβ(11-42), the Cu(II) stabilisation is much weaker. Here, we investigate, for the first time, the redox chemistry of pAβ(11-16)-Cu‑(II) complexes as a model system for pAβ(11-42). We show that the weaker Cu(II) affinity for the pyroglutamate-modified peptide leads to Cu(I)/Cu(II) oxidation at potentials associated with increased ROS production. Our study also shows a significant difference in the redox properties of the complex if phosphate ions are present in the electrolyte, underlining the importance of proper choice of buffer solutions. These results can be crucial for an increased understanding of AD pathogenesis.