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The amyloid β (Aβ) peptide and its shorter variants, including a highly cytotoxic Aβ 25–35  peptide, exert their neurotoxic effect during Alzheimer’s disease by various mechanisms, including cellular membrane permeabilization. The intrinsic polymorphism of Aβ has prevented the identification of the molecular basis of Aβ pore formation by direct structural methods, and computational studies have led to highly divergent pore models. Here, we have employed a set of biophysical techniques to directly monitor Ca 2+ -transporting Aβ 25–35  pores in lipid membranes, to quantitatively characterize pore formation, and to identify the key structural features of the pore. Moreover, the effect of membrane cholesterol on pore formation and the structure of Aβ 25–35  has been elucidated. The data suggest that the membrane-embedded peptide forms 6- or 8-stranded β-barrel like structures. The 8-stranded barrels may conduct Ca 2+  ions through an inner cavity, whereas the tightly packed 6-stranded barrels need to assemble into supramolecular structures to form a central pore. Cholesterol affects Aβ 25–35  pore formation by a dual mechanism, i.e., by direct interaction with the peptide and by affecting membrane structure. Collectively, our data illuminate the molecular basis of Aβ membrane pore formation, which should advance both basic and clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease and membrane-associated pathologies in general.

Structure of amyloid β25–35 in lipid environment and cholesterol-dependent membrane pore formation