Dynamical properties of α-synuclein in soluble and fibrillar forms by Quasi Elastic Neutron Scattering

Abstract

In the present paper, Quasi Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS) results, gathered at different energy resolution values at the ISIS Facility (RAL, UK), on α-synuclein in soluble and fibrillar forms as a function of temperature and exchanged wave-vector Q are shown. The measurements reveal a different dynamic behavior of the soluble and fibrillar forms of α-synuclein as a function of thermal stress. In more detail, the dynamics of each protein form reflects its own complex conformational heterogeneity. Furthermore, the effect of a well known bioprotectant, trehalose, that influences α-synuclein fibrillation, on both soluble and fibrillar forms of α-synuclein is discussed.

Keywords: Flexibility; Molecular mechanism; Neurodegenerative disease; Stability; Thermal stress; Trehalose.