Alpha-synuclein (alpha S) is an extensively studied protein due to its involvement in a group of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson ' s disease, and its documented ability to undergo aberrant self-aggregation resulting in the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. In dilute solution, the protein is intrinsically disordered but can adopt multiple alternative conformations under given conditions, such as upon adsorption to nanoscale surfaces. The study of alpha S-nanoparticle interactions allows us to better understand the behavior of the protein and provides the basis for developing systems capable of mitigating the formation of toxic aggregates as well as for designing hybrid nanomaterials with novel functionalities for applications in various research areas. In this review, we summarize current progress on alpha S-nanoparticle interactions with an emphasis on the conformational plasticity of the biomolecule.

Alpha-Synuclein-Nanoparticle Interactions: Understanding, Controlling and Exploiting Conformational Plasticity

D'Onofrio, Mariapina;Munari, Francesca;Assfalg, Michael
2020-01-01

Abstract

Alpha-synuclein (alpha S) is an extensively studied protein due to its involvement in a group of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson ' s disease, and its documented ability to undergo aberrant self-aggregation resulting in the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. In dilute solution, the protein is intrinsically disordered but can adopt multiple alternative conformations under given conditions, such as upon adsorption to nanoscale surfaces. The study of alpha S-nanoparticle interactions allows us to better understand the behavior of the protein and provides the basis for developing systems capable of mitigating the formation of toxic aggregates as well as for designing hybrid nanomaterials with novel functionalities for applications in various research areas. In this review, we summarize current progress on alpha S-nanoparticle interactions with an emphasis on the conformational plasticity of the biomolecule.
2020
alpha-synuclein
amyloid fibrils
conformational flexibility
nano-bio interface
nanocomposite
nanoparticles
protein adsorption
protein aggregation
supramolecular assembly
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1041162
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