Interaction of alpha-synuclein with monolayers and vesicles and the modulation of vesicle-membrane adhesion studied by x-ray reflectivity, G

We want to study how alpha-synuclein (aSyn), a key protein known in Parkinson’s disease, interacts with membranes. We will use two different well controlled membrane model systems: a Langmuir film balance (ID10a) and a bulk solution of vesicles (BM26). In bulk we aim at the structure of condensates formed by aSyn and vesicles, at the Langmuir monolayer, we want to probe whether aSyn modulates the adhesion of vesicles at the monolayer, mimicking the interaction of synaptic vesicles and the synaptic membrane. At the same time we can monitor changes in the monolayer upon binding and eventually also of protein conformation and aggregation.