Membrane Remodeling and Stimulation of Aggregation Following α-Synuclein Adsorption to Phosphotidylserine Vesicles

J Phys Chem B. 2021 Feb 18;125(6):1582-1594. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c09192. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Abstract

α-Synuclein is an intrinsically disordered protein abundant in presynaptic terminals in neurons and in synaptic vesicles. α-Synuclein's interaction with lipid bilayers is important not only for its normal physiological function but also in its pathological aggregation and deposition as Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease. α-Synuclein binds preferentially to lipids with acidic head groups and to high-curvature vesicles and can modulate membrane curvature. The relationship between the protein's role as a membrane curvature sensor and generator and the role of membranes in facilitating its aggregation remains unknown. We investigated the interaction of α-synuclein with vesicles of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (DOPS) or 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (DLPS). Using nanoparticle tracking along with electron microscopy, we demonstrate that α-synuclein induces extensive vesicle disruption and membrane remodeling into discoids, tubules, and ribbons with DLPS vesicles but not DOPS. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations revealed that adsorption of α-synuclein to DLPS but not DOPS vesicles induced vesicle elongation and redistribution of protein to regions of higher curvature, a process that could drive protein aggregation. In agreement with this hypothesis, DLPS but not DOPS strongly stimulated α-synuclein aggregation. Our results provide new insights into the critical contribution of bilayer stability in the membrane response to α-synuclein adsorption and in stimulation of aggregation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Humans
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membranes
  • Parkinson Disease*
  • alpha-Synuclein*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • alpha-Synuclein