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The interest on detailed analysis of peptide-membrane interactions is of great interest in both fundamental and applied sciences as these may relate to both functional and pathogenic events. Such interactions are highly dynamic and spatially heterogeneous, making the investigation of the associated phenomena highly complex. The specific properties of membranes and peptide structural details, together with environmental conditions, may determine different events at the membrane interface, which will drive the fate of the peptide-membrane system. Here, we use an experimental approach based on the combination of spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy methods to characterize the interactions of the multifunctional amphiphilic peptide transportan 10 with model membranes. Our approach, based on the use of suitable fluorescence reporters, exploits the advantages of phasor plot analysis of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy measurements to highlight the molecular details of occurring membrane alterations in terms of rigidity and hydration. Simultaneously, it allows following dynamic events in real time without sample manipulation distinguishing, with high spatial resolution, whether the peptide is adsorbed to or inserted in the membrane.

Real-time super-resolution microscopy analysis reveals the growth kinetics, morphology, and abundance of human insulin amyloid spherulites with different growth pathways.Protein misfolding in the form of fibrils or spherulites is involved in a spectrum of pathological abnormalities. Our current understanding of protein aggregation mechanisms has primarily relied on the use of spectrometric methods to determine the average growth rates and diffraction-limited microscopes with low temporal resolution to observe the large-scale morphologies of intermediates. We developed a REal-time kinetics via binding and Photobleaching LOcalization Microscopy (REPLOM) super-resolution method to directly observe and quantify the existence and abundance of diverse aggregate morphologies of human insulin, below the diffraction limit and extract their heterogeneous growth kinetics. Our results revealed that even the growth of microscopically identical aggregates, e.g., amyloid spherulites, may follow distinct pathways. Specifically, spherulites do not exclusively grow isotropically but, surprisingly, may also grow anisotropically, following similar pathways as reported for minerals and polymers. Combining our technique with machine learning approaches, we associated growth rates to specific morphological transitions and provided energy barriers and the energy landscape at the level of single aggregate morphology. Our unifying framework for the detection and analysis of spherulite growth can be extended to other self-assembled systems characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity, disentangling the broad spectrum of diverse morphologies at the single-molecule level.

Protein aggregation is a widespread process leading to deleterious consequences in the organism, with amyloid aggregates being important not only in biology but also for drug design and biomaterial production. Insulin is a protein largely used in diabetes treatment and its amyloid aggregation is at the basis of the so-called insulin-derived amyloidosis. Here we uncover the major role of zinc in both insulin dynamics and aggregation kinetics at low pH, where the formation of different amyloid superstructures (fibrils and spherulites) can be thermally induced. Amyloid aggregation is accompanied by zinc release and the suppression of water-sustained insulin dynamics, as shown by particle-induced X-ray emission and X-ray absorption spectroscopy and by neutron spectroscopy, respectively. Our study shows that zinc binding stabilizes the native form of insulin by facilitating hydration of this hydrophobic protein and suggests that introducing new binding sites for zinc can improve insulin stability and tune its aggregation propensity.Statement of SignificanceLocalized amyloidosis occurs at insulin injection sites for diabetes treatment, leading to deleterious inflammations known as insulin-derived amyloidosis. Amyloid superstructures are also promising candidates in the field of biomaterials. Here we revealed that zinc, coordinated to insulin in the native form, is released upon amyloid aggregation, when insulin forms superstructures known as fibrils and spherulites. Zinc release leads to a full suppression of functionally essential protein dynamics through a modification of the protein’s hydration properties and completely modifies insulin amyloid kinetics. The results suggest that changes in protein hydration upon zinc binding/release modifies both stability and dynamics of insulin and might then be a general strategy to control protein stability and tune protein aggregation into amorphous and ordered superstructures.

De novo designed protein supramolecular structures are nowadays attracting much interest as highly performing biomaterials. While a clear advantage is provided by the intrinsic biocompatibility and...

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) formulations for oromucosal administration induce a delayed rise in nicotine blood levels as opposed to the immediate nicotine increase obtained from cigarette smoking, this being a shortcoming of the therapy. Here, we demonstrate that α-lactalbumin/polyethylene oxide (ALA/PEO) electrospun nanofibers constitute an efficient oromucosal delivery system for fast-onset nicotine delivery of high relevance for acute dosing NRT applications. In vitro, nicotine-loaded nanofibers showed fast disintegration in water, with a weight loss up to 40% within minutes, and a faster nicotine release (26.1 ± 4.6% after 1 min of incubation) of the loaded nicotine compared to two relevant marketed NRT formulations with a comparable nicotine dose (i.e., 7.9 ± 5.1 and 2.2 ± 0.3% nicotine was released from a lozenge and a sublingual tablet, respectively). Model-fitting of the release data indicated that the release mechanism of nicotine from the hydrophilic nanofibers was possibly governed by more than one type of release phenomena. Remarkably, ex vivo studies using porcine buccal mucosa demonstrated a more efficient permeation of the nicotine released from the nanofibers [flux of 1.06 ± 0.22 nmol/(cm2·min)] compared to when dosing even a ten-fold concentrated nicotine solution [flux of 0.17 ± 0.14 nmol/(cm2·min)]. Moreover, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MS) imaging of ex vivo porcine buccal mucosa exposed to nicotine-loaded nanofibers clearly revealed higher amounts of nicotine throughout the epithelium, as well as in the lamina propria and submucosa of the tissue. Our findings suggest that nicotine-loaded ALA/PEO nanofibers have potential as a mucosal, fast-releasing, and biocompatible delivery system for nicotine, which can overcome the limitations of the currently marketed NRTs.

Protein (mis)folding, stability and aggregation are of interest in numerous fields, such as food sciences, biotechnology, and health sciences, and efforts are directed towards the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Through an integrative approach, we show that a subtle balance between hydrogen bond formation and hydrophobic interactions defines protein self-assembly pathways. Hydrophobic co-solvents, such as monohydric alcohols, modulate these two forces through a combination of direct solvent-protein and solvent-mediated interactions, depending on the size of the alcohol. This affects the initial conformation of the model protein α-lactalbumin, which can be linked to variations of its fibrillation propensity, as well as the morphology of the final structures. These findings pave the way towards a better understanding of the forces governing protein self-assembly, allowing the development of strategies to suppress unwanted aggregation and control the growth of tuneable protein-based biomaterials.

Amyloid protein aggregates are not only associated with neurodegenerative diseases and may also occur as unwanted by-products in protein-based therapeutics. Surfactants are often employed to stabilize protein formulations and reduce the risk of aggregation. However, surfactants alter protein-protein interactions and may thus modulate the physicochemical characteristics of any aggregates formed. Human insulin aggregation was induced at low pH in the presence of varying concentrations of the surfactant polysorbate 80. Various spectroscopic and imaging methods were used to study the aggregation kinetics, as well as structure and morphology of the formed aggregates. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the initial interaction between the surfactant and insulin. Addition of polysorbate 80 slowed down, but did not prevent, aggregation of insulin. Amyloid spherulites formed under all conditions, with a higher content of intermolecular beta-sheets in the presence of the surfactant above its critical micelle concentration. In addition, a denser packing was observed, leading to a more stable aggregate. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested a tendency for insulin to form dimers in the presence of the surfactant, indicating a change in protein-protein interactions. It is thus shown that surfactants not only alter aggregation kinetics, but also affect physicochemical properties of any aggregates formed.

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The interaction between proteins and membranes is of great interest in biomedical and biotechnological research for its implication in many functional and dysfunctional processes. We present an experimental study on the interaction between model membranes and alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-La). alpha-La is widely studied for both its biological function and its anti-tumoral properties. We use advanced fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to characterize alpha-La-membrane mechanisms of interaction and alpha-La-induced modifications of membranes when insertion of partially disordered regions of protein chains in the lipid bilayer is favored. Moreover, using fluorescence lifetime imaging, we are able to distinguish between protein adsorption and insertion in the membranes. Our results indicate that, upon addition of alpha-La to giant vesicles samples, protein is inserted into the lipid bilayer with rates that are concentration-dependent. The formation of heterogeneous hybrid protein-lipid co-aggregates, paralleled with protein conformational and structural changes, alters the membrane structure and morphology, leading to an increase in membrane fluidity.

The presence of αSN fibrils indisputably associates with the development of synucleinopathies. However, while certain fibril morphologies have been linked to downstream pathological phenotypes, others appear less harmful, leading to the concept of fibril strains, originally described in relation to prion disease. Indeed, the presence of fibrils does not associate directly with neurotoxicity. Rather, it has been suggested that the toxic compounds are soluble amyloidogenic oligomers, potentially co-existing with fibrils. Here, combining synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy and binding assays on native plasma membrane sheets, we reveal distinct biological and biophysical differences between initial and matured fibrils, transformed within the timespan of few days. Immature fibrils are reservoirs of membrane-binding species, which in response to even gentle experimental changes release into solution in a reversible manner. In contrast, mature fibrils, albeit macroscopically indistinguishable from their less mature counterparts, are structurally robust, shielding the solution from the membrane active soluble species. We thus show that particular biological activity resides transiently with the fibrillating sample, distinct for one, but not the other, spontaneously formed fibril polymorph. These results shed new light on the principles of fibril polymorphism with consequent impact on future design of assays and therapeutic development.

International audience; Proteins can misfold and form either amorphous or organized aggregates with different morphologies and features. Aggregates of amyloid nature are pathological hallmarks in so-called protein conformational diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Evidence prevails that the transient early phases of the reaction determine the aggregate morphology and toxicity. As a consequence, real-time monitoring of protein aggregation is of utmost importance. Here, we employed time-resolved neutron backscattering spectroscopy to follow center-of-mass self-diffusion and nano- to picosecond internal dynamics of lysozyme during aggregation into a specific β-sheet rich superstructure, called particulates, formed at the isoelectric point of the protein. Particulate formation is found to be a one-step process, and protein internal dynamics, to remain unchanged during the entire aggregation process. The time-resolved neutron backscattering spectroscopy approach developed here, in combination with standard kinetics assays, provides a unifying framework in which dynamics and conformational transitions can be related to the different aggregation pathways.

The reliable preparation of functional, ordered, nanostructured frameworks would be a game changer for many emerging technologies, from energy storage to nanomedicine. Underpinned by the excellent molecular recognition of nucleic acids, along with their facile synthesis and breadth of available functionalizations, DNA nanotechnology is widely acknowledged as a prime route for the rational design of nanostructured materials. Yet, the preparation of crystalline DNA frameworks with programmable structure and functionality remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate the potential of simple amphiphilic DNA motifs, dubbed “C-stars”, as a versatile platform for the design of programmable DNA crystals. In contrast to all-DNA materials, in which structure depends on the precise molecular details of individual building blocks, the self-assembly of C-stars is controlled uniquely by their topology and symmetry. Exploiting this robust self-assembly principle, we design a range of topologically identical, but structurally and chemically distinct C-stars that following a one-pot reaction self-assemble into highly porous, functional, crystalline frameworks. Simple design variations allow us to fine-tune the lattice parameter and thus control the partitioning of macromolecules within the frameworks, embed responsive motifs that can induce isothermal disassembly, and include chemical moieties to capture target proteins specifically and reversibly.

Ensembles of protein aggregates are characterized by a nano- and micro-scale heterogeneity of the species. This diversity translates into a variety of effects that protein aggregates may have in biological systems, both in connection to neurodegenerative diseases and immunogenic risk of protein drug products. Moreover, this naturally occurring variety offers unique opportunities in the field of protein-based biomaterials. In the above-mentioned fields, the isolation and structural analysis of the different amyloid types within the same ensemble remain a priority, still representing a significant experimental challenge. Here we address such complexity in the case of insulin for its relevance as biopharmaceutical and its involvement in insulin-derived amyloidosis. By combining Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy (micro-FTIR) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) we show the occurrence, within the same ensemble of insulin protein aggregates, of a variable beta-structure architecture and content not only dependent on the species analyzed (spherulites or fibrils), but also on the position within a single spherulite at submicron scale. We unambiguously reveal that the surface of the spherulites are characterized by beta-structures with an enhanced H-bond coupling compared to the core. This information, inaccessible via bulk methods, allows us to relate the aggregate structure at molecular level to the overall morphology of the aggregates. Our findings robustly solve the problem of probing the ensemble and single particle heterogeneity of amyloid samples. Furthermore, we offer a unique, scalable and ready-to-use screening methodology for in-depth characterization of self-assembled structures, being this translatable to material sciences, drug quality control and clinical imaging of amyloid-affected tissues. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protein-based drug carriers are an interesting alternative to traditional polymeric drug delivery systems due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability. Electrospinning of neat proteins holds advantages over electrospinning of protein mixtures, e.g., whey isolates, such as better control of the physicochemical and biological function of the resulting nanofiber-based system. In this study, we explore electrospinning of the isolated milk protein α-lactalbumin (ALA), which is a whey protein with important nutritional and pharmacological properties. Via waterborne electrospinning of ALA with a minimum amount of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a cospininng polymer, nanofibers of high protein content were successfully produced (up to 84% (w/w)). We demonstrate the ability to produce ALA-based nanofibers with a high degree of tunability in terms of size, stability in water, and mechanical properties. The nanofibers displayed excellent biocompatibility in vitro as the viability of cultured TR146 human buccal epithelium and NIH 3T3 murine fibroblast cells was not influenced by exposure to ALA-based nanofibers. ALA-based nanofibers were loaded with up to 6% (w/w) ampicilin, and the nanofibers were capable of maintaining the activity of the antibiotic after electrospinning and cross-linking. Using such a property of the material, we demonstrate that ampicillin-loaded nanofibers successfully inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Importantly, after treatment with ampicillin-loaded nanofibers, no bacterial regrowth was observed, which indicates that this treatment may clear eventual persisters to ampicillin. Finally, the structural properties of the native functional protein were maintained after release of ALA from the nanofibers. This promotes our platform, not only as a sustainable protein-based drug delivery system, but also as an innovative solid form of ALA for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Oral delivery of therapeutic peptides is hampered by their large molecular size and labile nature, thus limiting their permeation across the intestinal epithelium. Promising approaches to overcome the latter include co-administration with carrier peptides. In this study, the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin was employed to investigate effects of co-administration with insulin and the pharmacologically active part of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1-34)) at pH 5, 6.5, and 7.4 with respect to complexation, enzymatic stability, and transepithelial permeation of the therapeutic peptide in vitro and in vivo. Complex formation between insulin or PTH(1-34) and penetratin was pH-dependent. Micron-sized complexes dominated in the samples prepared at pH-values at which penetratin interacts electrostatically with the therapeutic peptide. The association efficiency was more pronounced between insulin and penetratin than between PTH(1-34) and penetratin. Despite the high degree of complexation, penetratin retained its membrane activity when applied to liposomal structures. The enzymatic stability of penetratin during incubation on polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers was pH-dependent with a prolonged half-live determined at pH 5 when compared to pH 6.5 and 7.4. Also, the penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation of insulin and PTH(1-34) was increased in vitro and in vivo upon lowering the sample pH from 7.4 or 6.5 to 5. Thus, the formation of penetratin-cargo complexes with several molecular entities is not prerequisite for penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation a therapeutic peptide. Rather, a sample pH, which improves the penetratin stability, appears to optimize the penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation of insulin and PTH(1-34).

Co-solutes, such as sugars, are used in in vitro protein aggregation experiments to mimic crowding and, in general, complex environments. Sugars often increase the stability of the native protein structure by affecting inter- and intramolecular protein–protein interactions. This, in turn, modifies the protein self-assembly pathways. Using a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy, we study the kinetics of formation and structural properties of human insulin fibrils in the presence of sucrose. The presence of sucrose results in a delay of the onset of fibrillation. Moreover, it leads to a dramatic change in both the morphology and overall amount of fibrils. Our results emphasize that the detailed composition of protein surroundings likely influences not only the fibrillation kinetics but also the balance between different species, potentially determining fibril strains with different biological activities. This aspect is crucial in the etiology of pathologies associated with amyloidosis.

Protein self-assembly into amyloid fibrils or highly hierarchical superstructures is closely linked to neurodegenerative pathologies as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Moreover, protein assemblies also emerged as building blocks for bioinspired nanostructured materials. In both the above mentioned fields, the main challenge is to control the growth and properties of the final protein structure. This relies on a more fundamental understanding of how interactions between proteins can determine structures and functions of biomolecular aggregates. Here, we identify a striking effect of the hydration of the single human insulin molecule and solvent properties in controlling hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, structures, and morphologies of a superstructure named spherulite, observed in connection to Alzheimer's disease. Depending on the presence of ethanol, such structures can incorporate fluorescent molecules with different physicochemical features and span a range of mechanical properties and morphologies. A theoretical model providing a thorough comprehension of the experimental data is developed, highlighting a direct connection between the intimate physical protein-protein interactions, the growth, and the properties of the self-assembled superstructures. Our findings indicate structural variability as a general property for amyloid-like aggregates and not limited to fibrils. This knowledge is pivotal not only for developing effective strategies against pathological amyloids but also for providing a platform to design highly tunable biomaterials, alternative to elongated protein fibrils.

The subtle interplay between long range electrostatic forces, hydrophobic interactions and short range protein-protein interactions regulates the onset/evolution of protein aggregation processes as well as the stability of protein supramolecular structures. Using a combination of FTIR spectroscopy, light scattering and advanced imaging, we present evidence on the main role of electrostatic forces in the formation and stability of amyloid-like fibrils formed from concanavalin A (ConA), a protein showing structural homology with the human serum amyloid protein. At high protein concentration, where protein-protein interactions cannot be neglected, we highlight a thermal-induced aggregation pathway in which amyloid-like aggregates are readily formed. When dissolved in solutions at different pHs, these aggregates show either a reduced β-sheet content keeping the same morphology (3 < pH < 10) or they are promptly dissolved leaving in solution non-native oligomers (pH > 10). The latter result can be ascribed to the change of the charge state for the ConA amino acid side chain with high pKa values. Our results support the idea of fibrils as a reservoir of oligomeric species that can be released if changes or discontinuities in the aggregate microenvironment occur.

Aβ(1-40) peptide supramolecular assembly and fibril formation processes are widely recognized to have direct implications in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The molecular basis of this biological process is still unknown and there is a strong need of developing effective strategies to control the occurring events. To this purpose the exploitation of small molecules interacting with Aβ aggregation represents one of the possible routes. Moreover, the use specific labeling has represented so far one of the most common and effective methods to investigate such a process. This possibility in turn rests on the reliability of the probe/labels involved. Here we present evidences of the effect of Thioflavin T (ThT), a worldwide used fluorescent dye to monitor amyloid growth, on the Aβ(1-40) conformation, stability and aggregation. By combining experimental information and Molecular Dynamics simulation results, we show that the presence of ThT in solution affects peptide conformation inducing peculiar supramolecular association. In particular ThT interactions with specific Aβ(1-40) residues promote a rigid partially-folded conformation which shifts the balance between different species in solution toward a more aggregation-prone ensemble of peptides, leading to aggregation. Our findings suggest ways for developing strategies to reverse and block aggregation or to stimulate supramolecular assembly and consequently reduce the presence of transient oligomers. This investigation underlines the need of developing label-free techniques for unbiased quantitative studies of Aβ(1-40) aggregation processes.

Understanding the mechanism behind protein aggregation is a challenging task that requires a combined use of both experimental and computational approaches. In this work, we present a 2D model for the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. The model allows one to explicitly consider the structural change of the native state of a protein into the aggregation-prone state together with the overall charge of the molecules. By means of Metropolis Monte Carlo and dynamic Monte Carlo, we simulate both the equilibrium and kinetic behavior of an ensemble of model proteins. Our results show the effect of the charge and protein concentration on both the conformational equilibrium and the kinetics of the aggregation process. Specifically, the model is capable of capturing the self-catalytic conversion of native proteins into aggregation-prone ones in the presence of preexisting aggregates, naturally reproducing some peculiar scaling laws observed for a class of amyloidogenic systems.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is recognized as one of the healthiest foods for its high content of antioxidants, which forestall and slow down radical formation. Free radical-initiated oxidation is considered one of the main causes of rancidity in fats and oils. As a consequence, reliable protocols for the investigation of oil oxidation based on selective, noninvasive, and fast methods are highly desirable. Here we report an experimental approach based on UV-Vis absorbance, steady-state fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for studying oxidation processes induced by temperature for a period up to 35 d on Sicilian EVOO samples. We followed the decrease in β-carotene content during incubation time and observed changes in polyphenols and tocopherols during the oxidation processes, focusing on the time scale of those changes. Using EPR spectroscopy, the free radical formation in different oil samples is reported, providing a fingerprint for both the antioxidant content and temporal features of the oxidation process at its early stage. Practical Application: We monitor β-carotene and chlorophyll in an auto-oxidation process. A protocol based on spectroscopic measurements is presented and can be used for the quality control process of commercial olive oil.

The conversion of proteins into amyloid fibrils and other amyloid-like aggregates is closely connected to the onset of a series of age-related pathologies. Upon changes in environmental conditions, amyloid-like aggregates may also undergo disassembly into oligomeric aggregates, the latter being recognized as key effectors in toxicity. This indicates new possible routes for in vivo accumulation of toxic species. In the light of the recognized implication of α-Synuclein (αSN) in Parkinson's disease, we present an experimental study on supramolecular assembly of αSN with a focus on stability and disassembly paths of such supramolecular aggregate species. Using spectroscopic techniques, two-photon microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy, we report evidences on how the stability of αSN amyloid-like aggregates can be altered by changing solution conditions. We show that amyloid-like aggregate formation can be induced at high temperature in the presence of trifluoroethanol (TFE). Moreover, sudden disassembly or further structural reorganisation toward higher hierarchical species can be induced by varying TFE concentration. Our results may contribute in deciphering fundamental mechanisms and interactions underlying supramolecular clustering/dissolution of αSN oligomers in cells.

Protein fibrillation is the pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases and also complicates the manufacturing and use of protein drugs. As a case study, the inhibitory activity of the natural compound aloin against insulin fibrillation was investigated. Based on Thioflavin T assays, high-performance liquid chromatography and transmission electron microscopy it was found that a degradation product of aloin, formed over weeks of storage, was able to significantly inhibit insulin fibrillation. The activity of the stored aloin was significantly reduced in the presence of small amounts of sodium azide or ascorbic acid, suggesting the active compound to be an oxidation product. A high-performance liquid chromatography method and a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method were developed to investigate the degradation products in the aged aloin solution. We found that the major compounds in the solution were aloin A and aloin B. In addition, 10-hydroxy aloin and elgonica dimers were detected in smaller amounts. The identified compounds were isolated and tested for activity by means of Thioflavin T assays, but no activity was observed. Thus, the actual fibrillation inhibitor is an as yet unidentified and potentially metastable degradation product of aloin. These results suggest that degradation products, and in particular oxidation products, are to be considered thoroughly when natural products are investigated for activity against protein fibrillation.

Aggregation of proteins into amyloid deposits is the hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The suggestion that intermediate oligomeric species may be cytotoxic has led to intensified investigations of pre-fibrillar oligomers, which are complicated by their transient nature and low population. Here we investigate alpha-synuclein oligomers, enriched by a 2-pyridone molecule (FN075), and the conversion of oligomers into fibrils. As probed by leakage assays, the FN075 induced oligomers potently disrupt vesicles in vitro, suggesting a potential link to disease related degenerative activity. Fibrils formed in the presence and absence of FN075 are indistinguishable on microscopic and macroscopic levels. Using small angle X-ray scattering, we reveal that FN075 induced oligomers are similar, but not identical, to oligomers previously observed during alpha-synuclein fibrillation. Since the levels of FN075 induced oligomers correlate with the amounts of fibrils among different FN075:protein ratios, the oligomers appear to be on-pathway and modeling supports an ‘oligomer stacking model’ for alpha-synuclein fibril elongation.

Depending on external conditions, native proteins may change their structure and undergo different association routes leading to a large scale polymorphism of the aggregates. This feature has been widely observed but is not fully understood yet. This review focuses on morphologies, physico-chemical properties and mechanisms of formation of amyloid structures and protein superstructures. In particular, the main focus will be on protein particulates and amyloid-like spherulites, briefly summarizing possible experimental methods of analysis. Moreover, we will highlight the role of protein conformational changes and dominant forces in driving association together with their connection with the final aggregate structure. Eventually, we will discuss future perspectives in this field and we will comment what is, in our opinion, urgently needed.

Aggregation of proteins into amyloid deposits is the hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The suggestion that intermediate oligomeric species may be cytotoxic has led to intensified investigations of pre-fibrillar oligomers, which are complicated by their transient nature and low population. Here we investigate alpha-synuclein oligomers, enriched by a 2-pyridone molecule (FN075) and the conversion of oligomers into fibrils. As probed by leakage assays, the FN075 induced oligomers potently disrupt vesicles in vitro, suggesting a potential link to disease related degenerative activity. Fibrils formed in the presence and absence of FN075 are indistinguishable on microscopic and macroscopic levels. Using small angle X-ray scattering, we reveal that FN075 induced oligomers are similar, but not identical, to oligomers previously observed during alpha-synuclein fibrillation. Since the levels of FN075 induced oligomers correlate with the amounts of fibrils among different FN075:protein ratios, the oligomers appear to be on-pathway and modeling supports an ‘oligomer stacking model’ for alpha-synuclein fibril elongation.

Penetratin is a widely used carrier peptide showing promising potential for mucosal delivery of therapeutic proteins. In the present study, the importance of specific penetratin residues and pH was investigated with respect to complexation with insulin and subsequent transepithelial insulin permeation. Besides penetratin, three analogues were studied. The carrier peptide-insulin complexes were characterized in terms of size and morphology at pH 5, 6.5, and 7.4 by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. At pH 7.4 mainly very large complexes were present, while much smaller complexes dominated at pH 5. Presence of arginine residues in the carrier peptide proved to be a prerequisite for complexation with insulin as well as for enhanced transepithelial insulin permeation in vitro. Rearrangement of tryptophan residues resulted in significantly increased insulin permeation as compared to that of the parent penetratin. In general, pre-complexation with penetratin and its analogues at pH 5 gave rise to increased insulin permeation as compared to that observed at pH 7.4; this finding was further supported by a preliminary in vivo study using the parent penetratin.

Formation of superstructures in protein aggregation processes has been indicated as a general pathway for several proteins, possibly playing a role in human pathologies. There is a severe lack of knowledge on the origin of such species in terms of both mechanisms of formation and structural features. We use equine lysozyme as a model protein, and by combining spectroscopic techniques and microscopy with X-ray fiber diffraction and ab initio modeling of Small Angle X-ray Scattering data, we isolate the partially unfolded state from which one of these superstructures (i.e., particulate) originates. We reveal the low-resolution structure of the unfolded state and its mechanism of formation, highlighting the physicochemical features and the possible pathway of formation of the particulate structure. Our findings provide a novel detailed knowledge of such a general and alternative aggregation pathway for proteins, this being crucial for a basic and broader understanding of the aggregation phenomena.

Amyloid formation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Significant α-synuclein (αSN) deposition in lipid-rich Lewy bodies is a hallmark of PD. Nonetheless, an unraveling of the connection between neurodegeneration and amyloid fibrils, including the molecular mechanisms behind potential amyloid-mediated toxic effects, is still missing. Interaction between amyloid aggregates and the lipid cell membrane is expected to play a key role in the disease progress. Here, we present experimental data based on hybrid analysis of two-photon-microscopy, solution small-angle X-ray scattering and circular dichroism data. Data show in real time changes in liposome morphology and stability upon protein addition and reveal that membrane disruption mediated by amyloidogenic αSN is associated with dehydration of anionic lipid membranes and stimulation of protein secondary structure. As a result of membrane fragmentation, soluble αSN:-lipid coaggregates are formed, hence, suggesting a novel molecular mechanism behind PD amyloid cytotoxicity.

Oxidative damages are linked to several aging-related diseases and are among the chemical pathways determining protein degradation. Specifically, interplay of oxidative stress and protein aggregation is recognized to have a link to the loss of cellular function in pathologies like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Interaction between protein and reactive oxygen species may indeed induce small changes in protein structure and lead to the inhibition/modification of protein aggregation process, potentially determining the formation of species with different inherent toxicity. Understanding the temperate relationship between these events can be of utmost importance in unraveling the molecular basis of neurodegeneration. In this work, we investigated the effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation on Human Serum Albumin (HSA) structure, thermal stability and aggregation properties. In the selected conditions, HSA forms fibrillar aggregates, while the oxidized protein undergoes aggregation via new routes involving, in different extents, specific domains of the molecule. Minute variations due to oxidation of single residues affect HSA tertiary structure leading to protein compaction, increased thermal stability, and reduced association propensity.

The possibility for proteins to aggregate in different superstructures, i.e. large-scale polymorphism, has been widely observed, but an understanding of the physico-chemical mechanisms behind it is still out of reach. Here we present a theoretical model for the description of a generic aggregate formed from an ensemble of charged proteins. The model predicts the formation of multi-fractal structures with the geometry of the growth determined by the electrostatic interactions between single proteins. The model predictions are successfully verified in comparison with experimental curves for aggregate growth. The model is general and is able to predict aggregate morphologies occurring both in vivo and in vitro. Our findings provide for the first time a unifying and general framework where the physical interactions between single proteins, the aggregate morphology and the growth kinetics are connected into a single model in excellent agreement with the experimental data., The file contains both main text and supplementary materials. The manuscript is submitted

Understanding the early events during amyloid aggregation processes is crucial to single out the involved molecular mechanisms and for designing ad hoc strategies to prevent and reverse amyloidogenic disorders. Here, we show that, in conditions in which the protein is positively charged and its conformational flexibility is enhanced, Concanavalin A leads to fibril formation via a non-conventional aggregation pathway. Using a combination of light scattering, circular dichroism, small angle X-ray scattering, intrinsic (Tryptophan) and extrinsic (ANS) fluorescence and confocal and 2-photon fluorescence microscopy we characterize the aggregation process as a function of the temperature. We highlight a multi-step pathway with the formation of an on-pathway long-lived intermediate and a subsequent coagulation of such "crinkled'' precursors into amyloid-like fibrils. The process results in a temperature-dependent aggregation-coagulation pathway, with the late phase of coagulation determined by the interplay between hydrophobic and electrostatic forces. Our data provide evidence for the complex aggregation pathway for a protein with a highly flexible native conformation. We demonstrate the possibility to generate a long-lived intermediate whose proportion and occurrence are easily tunable by experimental parameters (i.e. temperature). As a consequence, in the case of aggregation processes developing through well-defined energy barriers, our results can open the way to new strategies to induce more stable in vitro on-pathway intermediate species through a minute change in the initial conformational flexibility of the protein. This will allow isolating and experimentally studying such transient species, often indicated as relevant in neurodegenerative diseases, both in terms of structural and cytotoxic properties.

In the recent years recombinant technology has identified numerous protein based therapeutics. Their effective delivery, though, can be challenging due to the poor stability of most proteins along their pathway to the target site in the body. Hydrogels have been identified as good candidates for protein encapsulation and delivery thanks to both material and manufacturing process advantages. In this work we propose high energy irradiation as a synthetic methodology of choice to engineer hydrogel-based delivery devices for encapsulation and pulsatile release of proteins, triggered by pH, and for prevention of their denaturation when encapsulated. In particular, maleic anhydride functionalised poly( N -2-HydroxyEthyl)-DL-Aspartamide (PHEA-MA) hydrogels have been crosslinked without the use of toxic reagents or catalysts and in mild conditions via gamma irradiation. At the variance of the irradiation conditions, hydrogels with dramatically different crosslinked structure, thus rheological properties and swelling behaviour, have been obtained. The ability to swell and shrink cyclically upon repeated pH jumps and the absence of cytotoxicity have been demonstrated for all the hydrogels produced. Moreover some of the variants exhibited full degradability at 37 °C with degradation products that are not-toxic for the cell. Depending on the networks average mesh size, as derived by the treatment of rheological data with simple rubber elasticity equations, with respect to the characteristic dimension of the chosen model protein, substantial loading of the protein and its retention or release, controlled by pH, have been achieved. These results, coupled with the versatility of the synthetic platform, suggest the possibility to use these materials as components of intelligent/programmable devices specifically designed as to release theoretically any protein based therapeutic.

We report an experimental study on the model protein Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms by which a fully folded globular protein undergoes different aggregation pathways leading to the formation of amyloid fibrils or amorphous aggregates. We observe thermally induced formation of fibrillar structures at pH far from the protein isoelectric point. The increase of electrostatic repulsion results in protein destabilization and in modifications of inter and intra-molecular interactions leading to the growth of fibril-like aggregates stabilized by inter-molecular-β sheets. The aggregation kinetics is studied by means of fluorescence techniques, light scattering, Circular Dichroism (CD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Changes in protein secondary structures turn out to be the driving mechanism of the observed aggregation and they progress in parallel with the growth of Thioflavin T emission intensity and scattering signal. This concurrent behavior suggests a mutual stabilization of elongated protofibril-like structures and of protein conformational and structural changes, which lead to a more rigid and ordered structures. Our results give new insights on BSA self-assembly process in alkaline conditions clearly providing new pieces of evidences of the interplay of several and interconnected mechanisms occurring on different time and length scales.

At high temperature and low pH, the protein hormone insulin is highly prone to form amyloid fibrils, and for this reason it is widely used as a model system to study fibril formation mechanisms. In this work, we focused on insulin aggregation mechanisms occurring in HCl solutions (pH 1.6) at 60 degrees C. By means of in situ Thioflavin T (ThT) staining, the kinetics profiles were characterized as a function of the protein concentration, and two concurrent aggregation pathways were pointed out, being concentration dependent. In correspondence to these pathways, different morphologies of self-assembled protein molecules were detected by atomic force microscopy images also evidencing the presence of secondary nucleation processes as a peculiar mechanism for insulin fibrillation. Moreover, combining ThT fluorescence and light scattering, the early stages of the process were analyzed in the low concentration regime, pointing out a pronounced spatial heterogeneity in the formation of the first stable fibrils in solution and the onset of the secondary nucleation pathways.

At low pH insulin is highly prone to self-assembly into amyloid fibrils. The process has been proposed to be affected by the existence of secondary nucleation pathways, in which already formed fibrils are able to catalyze the formation of new fibrils. In this work, we studied the fibrillation process of human insulin in a wide range of protein concentrations. Thioflavin T fluorescence was used for its ability to selectively detect amyloid fibrils, by mechanisms that involve the interaction between the dye and the accessible surface of the fibrils. Our results show that the rate of fibrillation and the Thioflavin T fluorescence intensity saturate at high protein concentration and that, surprisingly, the two parameters are proportional to each other. Because Thioflavin T fluorescence is likely to depend on the accessible surface of the fibrils, we suggest that the overall fibrillation kinetics is mainly governed by the accessible surface, through secondary nucleation mechanisms. Moreover, a statistical study of the fibrillation kinetics suggests that the early stages of the process are affected by stochastic nucleation events.

Insulin, a 51-residue protein universally used in diabetes treatment, is known to produce amyloid fibrils at high temperature and acidic conditions. As for other amyloidogenic proteins, the mechanisms leading to nucleation and growth of insulin fibrils are still poorly understood. We here report a study of the fibrillation process for insulin confined in a suitable polymeric hydrogel, with the aim of ascertain the effects of a reduced protein mobility on the various phases of the process. The results indicate that, with respect to standard aqueous solutions, the fibrillation process is considerably slowed down at moderately high concentrations and entirely suppressed at low concentration. Moreover, the analysis of the initial stages of the fibrillation process in aqueous solutions revealed a large spatial heterogeneity, which is completely absent when the fibrillation is carried out in the hydrogel. We attribute this heterogeneity to the diffusion in solution of large amyloidal aggregates, which must be formed very fast compared to the average times for the whole sample. These findings are interpreted in the framework of recently suggested heterogeneous nucleation mechanisms. Moreover, they may be useful for the development of new insulin pharmaceutical formulations, more stable against adverse conditions.

Under specific conditions the protein hormone insulin is prone to form amyloid fibrils and is widely used as a model system to study fibril formation mechanisms. In this work we studied thermally induced fibril formation of insulin in acidic solutions. We mainly focused on the effect of the initial protein concentration on the final fibril morphology and the connection between morphology and secondary nucleation mechanisms. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed a significant fibril polymorphism on the macroscopic level dependent on protein concentration, ranging from thin and elongated fibrils to highly complex superstructures. Moreover, amyloid superstructures formed at high insulin concentration resulted in a lower propensity in being stained by Thioflavin T (ThT) and, for these structures, a reduced catalytic effect in seeding experiments was also detected. These results suggest a crucial involvement of the macroscopic properties of fibril surfaces in determining secondary nucleation pathways in insulin fibrillation.

Thermally induced amyloid aggregation of bovine insulin can produce a number of distinct aggregate morphologies. In this work amyloid spherulites were analysed using cross polarized optical microscopy and light scattering. A new semi-quantitative methodology to estimate the balance of spherulites and free fibrils is reported and, from this analysis, the effects of pH, temperature, salt, and protein concentration on spherulite formation were quantitatively determined for the first time. The number and size of spherulites measured with polarized light microscopy were related to changes in the colloidal stability of the solution and fibril nucleation times (measured by static light scattering). Importantly, changes in pH between 1.75 and 2 were found to result in a dramatic decrease in the spherulite radii, which were related to differences in the conformational stability of the protein. Moreover, estimates of the final spherulite volume fraction clearly indicate that amyloid spherulite formation is the dominant pathway for insulin aggregation in HCl solutions at low pH and protein concentrations below ∼5 mg ml −1 , with the balance shifting towards fibrils as the concentration increases.