On the molecular structure of human neuroserpin polymers. Coagulation, fragmentation and latentization control serpin aggregation

The polymerization of serpins is at the root of a large class of diseases; the molecular structure of serpin polymers has been recently debated. In this work, we study the polymerization kinetics of human neuroserpin by Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy and by time-lapse Size Exclusion Chromatography. First, we show that two distinct neuroserpin polymers, formed at 45 and 85 °C, display the same isosbestic points in the Amide I band, and therefore share common secondary structure features. We also find a concentration independent polymerization rate at 45 °C suggesting that the polymerization rate limiting step is the formation of an activated monomeric species. The polymer structure…

Inactivation and polymerization of human neuroserpin

Neuroserpin is an inhibitory enzyme, belonging to the family of serpins and involved in several pathologies, such as ischemia, Alzheimer disease, and FENIB (Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Body). Here, we study the mechanism of neuroserpin inactivation and polymerization by different experimental techniques (static and dynamic light scattering, liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy). Our results show that at intermediate temperatures (45-55 °C) neuroserpin forms flexible polymers with a size from a few tens to a few hundreds of nanometers. At high temperatures, above 80 °C, our results reveal a different polymeric form, reac…

Influence of exogenous and endogenous ions on the properties of BSA

TEMPERATURE-TRIGGERED MACROSCOPIC GELATION OF IRRADIATED XYLOGLUCANS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Functional and dysfunctional isoforms of human neuroserpin

Neuroserpin (NS) is a serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) involved in different neurological pathologies, including the Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies (FENIB), related to the aberrant polymerization of NS mutants. Here we present an in vitro and in silico characterization of native NS and its dysfunctional conformation isoforms: the proteolytically cleaved conformer, the inactive latent conformer, and the polymeric conformer. Using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, we present an experimental validation of the latent model and highlight the main structural features of the different conformers. In par- ticular, emission spectra of aromatic residues yi…

Naïve Hsp60, similarly to GroEL, oligomerizes to build heptameric and tetradecameric structures.

Entrapment of Aβ(1-40) peptide in unstructured aggregates

Recognizing the complexity of the fibrillogenesis process provides a solid ground for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or inhibiting protein-protein aggregation. Under this perspective, it is meaningful to identify the possible aggregation pathways and their relative products. We found that Aβ-peptide dissolved in a pH 7.4 solution at small peptide concentration and low ionic strength forms globular aggregates without typical amyloid β-conformation. ThT binding kinetics was used to monitor aggregate formation. Circular dichroism spectroscopy, AFM imaging, static and dynamic light scattering were used for structural and morphological characterization of the aggre…