ABSTRACT
Previous chapters in this book have discussed the discovery and characterization of functional amyloid in a wide range of lower organisms. Functional amyloid in humans is of particular interest because of the links between amyloid formation and disease (see Chapter 1). Amyloid formation is a core feature of a large number of human diseases that involve a striking diversity of tissues and physiological processes. Despite decades of effort, no effective treatment exists for amyloid diseases. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms employed to enable the use of amyloid for function, particularly in humans, could illuminate potential therapeutic approaches to amyloid disease. Presently, Functional amyloid is thought to play a role in two processes in humans: haemostasis and melanin synthesis. This chapter will elucidate what is known about the role and regulation of these functional amyloids in the human body.
