Probing conformational change of intrinsically disordered α-synuclein to helical structures by distinctive regional interactions with lipid membranes

Anal Chem. 2014 Feb 4;86(3):1909-16. doi: 10.1021/ac404132g. Epub 2014 Jan 13.

Abstract

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is an intrinsically disordered protein, whose fibrillar aggregates are associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. α-Syn associates with lipid membranes and forms helical structures upon membrane binding. In this study, we explored the helix formation of α-Syn in solution containing trifluoroethanol using small-angle X-ray scattering and electrospray ionization ion mobility mass spectrometry. We then investigated the structural transitions of α-Syn to helical structures via association with large unilamellar vesicles as model lipid membrane systems. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was further utilized to understand the details of the regional interaction mechanisms of α-Syn with lipid vesicles based on the polarity of the lipid head groups. The characteristics of the helical structures were observed with α-Syn by adsorption onto the anionic phospholipid vesicles via electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal region of the protein and the anionic head groups of the lipids. α-Syn also associates with zwitterionic lipid vesicles and forms helical structures via hydrophobic interactions. These experimental observations provide an improved understanding of the distinct structural change mechanisms of α-Syn that originate from different regional interactions of the protein with lipid membranes and subsequently provide implications regarding diverse protein-membrane interactions related to their fibrillation kinetics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Phospholipids / chemistry
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemistry
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / metabolism
  • alpha-Synuclein / chemistry*
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phospholipids
  • Unilamellar Liposomes
  • alpha-Synuclein