Protein aggregation

Protein aggregation is the association of proteins into clusters, often involving exposed regions of partly folded or unfolded polypeptide chains. It can prevent recovery of normal function while leaving the protein primary structures intact. It is distinct from both unfolding one chain and the functional assembly described by protein quaternary structure. See Cooper: partly folded chains, aggregation and chaperone protection.

Fibrillar aggregates of misfolded proteins with characteristic structural and staining properties. Amyloidosis names the associated deposition disorders.^[ref]