Nanoprobing of α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation with atomic force microscopy

Junping Yu, Julia Warnke, Yuri L. Lyubchenko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy is a technique with broad nanomedical applications, widely used for the characterization of molecular interactions on the nanoscale. Here we test this technique to evaluate compounds for influencing the protein aggregation process. The results demonstrate that Zn2+ or Al3+ cations bring about a dramatic increase of α-synuclein interactions in unfavorable conditions for α-synuclein misfolding (neutral pH). We did not observe the effect of dopamine at favorable conditions for α-synuclein misfolding (acidic pH). We also found that electrostatic interactions do not play a significant role at acidic pH. These findings are generally in line with previous studies by various techniques. The high sensitivity of AFM force spectroscopy as well as its ability to test compounds for the same experimental system makes AFM an efficient nanotool for rapid analysis of compounds inhibiting early protein aggregation studies and quantitative selection of potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. From the Clinical Editor: Atomic force microscopy is used to interrogate the influence of cations and α-synuclein on the protein aggregation process. The report illustrates an application of AFM to unravel the potential of novel therapeutics on early protein aggregation intrinsic in neurodegenerative diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)146-152
Number of pages7
JournalNanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011

Keywords

  • AFM force spectroscopy
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Protein aggregation
  • α-synuclein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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