α-Synuclein Membrane Aggregation

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, resulting in motor deficits. Key to its pathology are Lewy bodies, aggregates of α-Synuclein, pivotal for normal neuronal function but prone to forming pathogenic structures. Notably, α-Synuclein undergoes conformational changes on cell membranes, contributing to its aggregation into toxic forms, a crucial event in disease progression. Understanding these interactions is vital for deciphering Parkinson's disease and developing therapies. Our proposal plans to use SANS to study the aggregation of a model lipid-α-Synuclein system, aiming to elucidate the nanostructures and understand the mechanisms and ways to inhibit this process. Additionally, our collaborator UCB is advancing Minzasolmin in phase 3 trials, targeting α-Synuclein aggregation as a potential therapeutic avenue.