Figure 7.

Proposed model for the protective role exerted by the membrane on the aggregation process of α-synuclein. In the cytosolic state, the unfolded α-synuclein can undergo a conformational transition to form β-aggregates. The presence of SDS micelles or negatively charged biological lipids organized in micelles or SUVs decreases the cytosolic concentration of the protein and prevents its aggregation. The α-helix to β-structures transition may be hampered because the residues responsible for the aggregation process are protected by the membrane.