NACore amyloid formation in the presence of phospholipids

Pallbo, J.*; 今井 正幸*; Gentile, L.*; 高田 慎一  ; Olsson, U.*; Sparr, E.*

Pallbo, J.*; Imai, Masayuki*; Gentile, L.*; Takata, Shinichi; Olsson, U.*; Sparr, E.*

In this paper we investigate interactions between an aggregating peptide and phospholipid membranes, focusing on the nanometer-scale structures of the aggregates formed, as well as on the effect on the aggregation process. As a model system, we use the small amyloid-forming peptide named NACore, which is a fragment of the central region of the protein alpha-synuclein that is associated with Parkinson's disease. We find that phospholipid vesicles readily associate with the amyloid fibril network in the form of highly distorted and trapped vesicles that also may wet the surface of the fibrils.