?-Synuclein (?S) is a 140 amino acid, intrinsically disordered protein that adopts an amphipathic ?-helical structure upon binding the membrane. ?S is the major proteinaceous component of insoluble fibrillar Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The precise roles of both native and pathological forms of ?S remain unclear. However, the interaction of ?S with cellular membranes is now thought to be critical to its native function, and potentially to its role in PD as well. We propose a series of Low-Angle X-ray Scattering (LAXS) experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to more fully understand the membrane remodeling effects of native ?S. We will be primarily focused on the role of lipid composition and bilayer curvature. In particular, we propose the following two specific aims, each of which will be carried out in parallel: 1) Determine how ?S remodels membranes when bound to both monolayer leaflets. 2) Determine how ?S remodels membranes when bound to only one leaflet, modeling its physiological action on synaptic vesicles. Each of these aims will test our hypothesis that the intrinsic, natural curvature of ?S dictates its capacity to remodel and stabilize membranes, in particular those that are highly curved (like synaptic vesicles).

Public Health Relevance

The membrane protein a-synuclein has been implicated as playing a central role in both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease, the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder. Through developing a biophysical understanding of a-synuclein induced membrane remodeling, we will gain insight into the native function of a-synuclein, and in turn be well positioned to begin to understand its role in the disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NS077634-03
Application #
8670788
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F03B-G (20))
Program Officer
Sutherland, Margaret L
Project Start
2012-05-29
Project End
2014-11-28
Budget Start
2014-05-29
Budget End
2014-11-28
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$14,541
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Braun, Anthony R; Lacy, Michael M; Ducas, Vanessa C et al. (2017) ?-Synuclein's Uniquely Long Amphipathic Helix Enhances its Membrane Binding and Remodeling Capacity. J Membr Biol 250:183-193
Braun, Anthony R; Sachs, Jonathan N (2015) ?-Synuclein Reduces Tension and Increases Undulations in Simulations of Small Unilamellar Vesicles. Biophys J 108:1848-51
Boscia, Alexander L; Treece, Bradley W; Mohammadyani, Dariush et al. (2014) X-ray structure, thermodynamics, elastic properties and MD simulations of cardiolipin/dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine mixed membranes. Chem Phys Lipids 178:1-10
Brandt, Erik G; Braun, Anthony R; Sachs, Jonathan N et al. (2011) Interpretation of fluctuation spectra in lipid bilayer simulations. Biophys J 100:2104-11