The Newly Discovered Parkinson’s Disease Associated Finnish Mutation (A53E) Attenuates α-Synuclein Aggregation and Membrane Binding

Abstract

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) oligomerization and amyloid formation are associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. Studying familial α-Syn mutants associated with early onset PD has therapeutic importance. Here we report the aggregation kinetics and other biophysical properties of a newly discovered PD associated Finnish mutation (A53E). Our in vitro study demonstrated that A53E attenuated α-Syn aggregation and amyloid formation without altering the major secondary structure and initial oligomerization tendency. Further, A53E showed reduced membrane binding affinity compared to A53T and WT. The present study would help to delineate the role of A53E mutation in early onset PD pathogenesis.