ATR-FTIR Analysis of Amyloid Proteins

Attenuated total reflection FTIR (ATR-FTIR) has been used for decades to study protein secondary structures. More recently, it reveals also to be an exquisite and sensitive tool to study and discriminate amyloid aggregates. Based on the analysis of specific spectral features of β-sheet structures, we present here a detailed protocol to differentiate oligomers vs. fibrils. This protocol, applicable to all amyloid proteins, demonstrates the power of this inexpensive, rapid, and low protein material-demanding method.