Thermophoretic trap for single amyloid fibril and protein aggregation studies

Nat Methods. 2019 Jul;16(7):611-614. doi: 10.1038/s41592-019-0451-6. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Abstract

The study of the aggregation of soluble proteins into highly ordered, insoluble amyloid fibrils is fundamental for the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we present a method for the observation of single amyloid fibrils that allows the investigation of fibril growth, secondary nucleation or fibril breakup that is typically hidden in the average ensemble. Our approach of thermophoretic trapping and rotational diffusion measurements is demonstrated for single Aβ40, Aβ42 and pyroglutamyl-modified amyloid-β variant (pGlu3-Aβ3-40) amyloid fibrils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Diffusion
  • Protein Aggregates*
  • Protein Folding

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Protein Aggregates