WT and A53T α-synuclein systems: Melting Diagram and its new interpretation

Abstract

AbstractParkinson’s disease is connected with abnormal α-synuclein (αS) aggregation. Energetics of potential barriers governing motions of hydration water is examined. Information about the distributions and heights of potential barriers is gained by a thermodynamical approach. The ratios of the heterogeneous water-binding interfaces measure proteins’ structural disorder. All αS forms possess secondary structural elements though they are intrinsically disordered. Monomers are functional at the lowest potential barriers, where mobile hydration water exists, with monolayer coverage of mobile hydration. The αS monomer contains 33% secondary structure and is more compact than a random coil. A53T αS monomer has a more open structure than the wild type. Monomers realize all possible hydrogen bonds. Half of the mobile hydration water amount for monomers is missing in αS oligomers and αS amyloids. Oligomers are ordered by 66%. Mobile water molecules in the first hydration shell of amyloids are the weakest bound compared to other forms. Wild type and A53T amyloids show identical, low-level hydration, and are considered as disordered to 75%.Statement of SignificanceAggregation of α-synuclein into oligomers, amyloid fibrils is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. A thermodynamic approach provides information on the heterogeneity of protein-water bonds in the wild type and A53T mutant monomers, oligomers, amyloids. This information can be related to ratios of heterogeneous water-binding interfaces, which measure the proteins’ structural disorder. Both α-synuclein monomers are intrinsically disordered. The monomers nevertheless have 33% secondary structure. They are functional as long as mobile water molecules surround them. They realize every possible H-bonds with water. Oligomers are like globular proteins with 66% ordered structure. Amyloids are disordered to 75% and are poorly hydrated with loosely bound water. Their hydration is identical. Oligomers, amyloids have only half as much hydrating mobile water as monomers.