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. 2018 Aug 21;3(8):9586–9597. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01462

Lipid Extraction by α-Synuclein Generates Semi-Transmembrane Defects and Lipoprotein Nanoparticles

Jianjun Pan †,*, Annalisa Dalzini ‡, Nawal K Khadka †, Chinta M Aryal †, Likai Song ‡,*
PMCID: PMC6120733  PMID: 30198000

Abstract

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Modulations of synaptic membranes play an essential role in the physiological and pathological functions of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (αSyn). Here we used solution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate membrane modulations caused by αSyn. We used several lipid bilayers to explore how different lipid species may regulate αSyn–membrane interactions. We found that at a protein-to-lipid ratio of ∼1/9, αSyn perturbed lipid bilayers by generating semi-transmembrane defects that only span one leaflet. In addition, αSyn coaggregates with lipid molecules to produce ∼10 nm-sized lipoprotein nanoparticles. The obtained AFM data are consistent with the apolipoprotein characteristic of αSyn. The role of anionic lipids was elucidated by comparing results from zwitterionic and anionic lipid bilayers. Specifically, our AFM measurements showed that anionic bilayers had a larger tendency of forming bilayer defects; similarly, our EPR measurements revealed that anionic bilayers exhibited more substantial changes in lipid chain mobility and bilayer polarity. We also studied the effect of cholesterol. We found that cholesterol increased the capability of αSyn in inducing bilayer defects and altering lipid chain mobility and bilayer polarity. These data can be explained by an increase in the lipid headgroup–headgroup spacing and/or specific cholesterol−αSyn interactions. Interestingly, we found an inhibitory effect of the cone-shaped phosphatidylethanolamine lipids on αSyn-induced bilayer remodeling. We explained our data by considering interlipid hydrogen-bonding that can stabilize bilayer organization and suppress lipid extraction. Our results of lipid-dependent membrane modulations are likely relevant to αSyn functioning.

1. Introduction

The detrimental Parkinson’s disease (PD) is featured by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.1,2 One pathogenic hallmark of PD is the formation of filamentous aggregates known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites.3,4 Genome-wide association studies have shown that the rare form of familial PD is caused by missense mutations of a protein called α-synuclein (αSyn).5 Moreover, duplication6 and triplication7 of the SNCA gene encoding αSyn are sufficient to cause a highly penetrant form of PD. The causative role played by αSyn in idiopathic PD is further substantiated by observations that intraneuronal deposits in PD brains are mainly composed of αSyn.3

αSyn is a highly conserved cytosolic protein mainly localized at presynaptic nerve terminals. The 140-residue protein contains an N-terminus harboring seven imperfect repeats of eleven-residue; the central region contains a hydrophobic domain referred to as NAC (non-Aβ component); the C-terminus is negatively charged and largely unstructured. Similar to apolipoproteins, the eleven-residue repeats of αSyn enhance its membrane-binding affinity8 and may be responsible for aggregating with lipid molecules to form lipoprotein particles.9 Membrane association is also supported by secondary structure studies. αSyn is largely unfolded in aqueous solution; peripheral membrane association converts the N-terminus of αSyn into an extended or broken α-helix.10−12 Although not fully understood, both physiological and pathological functions of αSyn involve membrane interactions.13 For instance, overexpression of αSyn caused membrane disruption of mitochondria,14 Golgi apparatus,15 and endoplasmic reticulum.16

PD is featured by the accumulation of αSyn-dominated inclusion deposits in pathological brains. Accumulating evidence suggests that formation of fibrillar aggregates might be a cellular mechanism to cope with more toxic prefibrillar species.17−20 Indeed, high levels of αSyn are directly associated with PD pathology.6,7 Despite many strides being made in understanding the physiopathological functions of αSyn,21 the molecular mechanism of how αSyn gains cytotoxic properties and causes dopaminergic neuronal death remains unclear.

The amphipathic characteristic of αSyn confers its ability to interact with lipid membranes,22 yielding highly curved structures such as tubules,23−25 nanoparticles,9 and micelles.26 Membrane interactions of αSyn could lead to nerve cell dysfunction by different mechanisms. One possibility is that specific lipids facilitate the generation of toxic αSyn aggregates (e.g., oligomers). A second possibility is based on the duplication and triplication of the SNCA gene. The resulting abnormal accumulation of αSyn might interfere with the normal membrane fission–fusion dynamics that are essential to synaptic vesicle cycling. A third possibility is that αSyn participates in synaptic vesicle cycling by promoting membrane curvature remodeling; overexpression of αSyn could cause an imbalance between the vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis. Together, a better understanding of the mechanism of synaptic membrane interactions of αSyn will help elucidate both the physiological and pathological functions of αSyn.

In this work, we used high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate changes in lipid bilayer material properties caused by αSyn. Our AFM measurements can visually detect nanoscale changes in lipid membrane topographic structures, and our EPR measurements probe molecular-level lipid mobility and bilayer polarity. The obtained experimental data highlight the concept that αSyn can carry out its physiopathological functions by altering membrane properties. Many lipids play key roles in synaptic vesicle cycling.27 Lipid-specific interactions of αSyn might interfere with synaptic vesicle cycling. To elucidate different synaptic lipids that might be responsible for αSyn–membrane interactions, we selectively studied lipid bilayers containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG),  1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), and cholesterol (Chol) lipids. By determining the impacts of αSyn on physical properties of lipid bilayers containing different lipid species, our study provides useful insights into the role of various synaptic lipids in regulating αSyn–membrane interactions.

2. Results

2.1. AFM Experiments on Planar Lipid Bilayers

2.1.1. POPC/POPG Bilayer

We used AFM imaging to visualize the effect of αSyn on topographical structures of mica-supported planar bilayers composed of POPC/POPG 4:1. (Unless noted otherwise, all ratios and percentages are molar based in this paper.) AFM height image of the control bilayer is shown in Figure 1A. The bilayer exhibited a homogeneous organization over the 10 μm × 10 μm area. After confirming the quality of the intact bilayer, we used a syringe pump to inject a 1 μM αSyn solution into the AFM fluid cell. The protein incubation time was set to zero right after the injection. After incubation of 39 min, sporadic defects with a circular shape and a length scale of ∼2 μm were observed (Figure 1B). The image at 74 min revealed similar micron-scale defects, accompanied by a few smaller ones with a length scale of a few hundred nanometers. Similar micron-scale defects were observed after incubation of 139 min. On the other hand, the in situ measurements revealed that the surface area fraction covered by the defects increased with the incubation time. This is quantified by image analysis showing that the defect area fraction is 0.14, 0.20, and 0.41 at the incubation times of 39, 74, and 139 min, respectively.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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AFM images of a POPC/POPG 4:1 bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn as a function of the incubation time. Scale bars are 2 μm. Image height scale is indicated by the color bar at the bottom. The same color bar (with modified height scale if noted) is applied throughout the paper for AFM images. The area fractions of αSyn-induced semi-transmembrane defects are 0.14, 0.20, and 0.41 as the incubation time increases from 39 to 139 min.

AFM probes lipid bilayer structures in both horizontal and vertical directions. The sub-Å sensitivity along bilayer normal enables us to determine the height profile of αSyn-induced defects (Figure 2). We found that the edge of the circularly shaped defects has a depth of ∼1–1.5 nm below the bilayer surface. Considering that the thickness of POPC and POPG bilayers is ∼3 nm,28,29 the observed defects only span one leaflet of the mica-supported bilayer. We also noticed that the interior of the defects contained many inhomogeneous features. To explore the detailed structure inside bilayer defects, we performed high-resolution AFM scans. Although not evident in micron-scale images, numerous nanoscale particles were clearly seen in the high-resolution image (Figure 2B). To estimate the height of the observed particles, we selected an arbitrary path crossing several particles (Figure 2B). Height profile along the path showed that the nanoscale particles have a height of ∼2–6 nm (Figure 2C).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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(A, B) High-resolution AFM images of a POPC/POPG 4:1 bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn. Scale bar is 1 μm for (A) and 0.2 μm for (B). (C) Height profiles along the solid green lines in (A) and (B).

We next performed image analysis to characterize particle sizes. A height threshold was used to distinguish particles from the background. (Pixels with heights larger than the threshold were considered as particles.) To account for pixels with occasional large heights (noise), a cutoff was used to discard particles smaller than ∼12 nm2. The resulting particles (i.e., bright regions in the binary image) are shown in Figure S1. Particle size was determined by the number of pixels (scaled by pixel size) occupied by each particle. Lastly, we converted the particle size to a particle radius by assuming that particles are circularly shaped. The probability distribution of the determined particle radius is shown in Figure S1. Gaussian curve fitting resulted in a most probable particle radius of 7 nm. Collectively, αSyn perturbed the POPC/POPG bilayer by forming semi-transmembrane defects; the interior of the defects was dispersed with many nanoscale particles, which have a height of ∼2–6 nm and an average radius of 7 nm.

2.1.2. POPC Bilayer

We also used AFM imaging to study the effect of αSyn on zwitterionic POPC bilayers. Sporadic defects were observed after incubation with 1 μM αSyn for 40 and 120 min (Figure 3). Interestingly, the defects have serrated edges. Image analysis showed that the defect area fractions are 0.04 and 0.10 at the incubation times of 40 and 120 min, respectively. These values are smaller compared to those of the POPC/POPG bilayer at similar incubation times. Figure 4 shows two high-resolution images encompassing one defect. Height profile indicated that POPC defects have a depth of ∼1.5 nm (Figure 4C). Circularly shaped particles were observed inside the defect. Height profile showed that the nanoscale particles have a height of ∼2–6 nm. We selected a region inside the defect to estimate the particle size (Figure S2). Gaussian curve fitting showed that the most probable defect radius is 11 nm.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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AFM images of a POPC bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn as a function of the incubation time. Height scale is 4 nm. Scale bars are 2 μm. The area fractions of αSyn-induced semi-transmembrane defects are 0.04 and 0.10 at the incubation times of 40 and 120 min, respectively.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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(A, B) High-resolution AFM images of a POPC bilayer treated with 1 μM αSyn. The two images were obtained after incubation for ∼100 min. Scale bar is 500 nm for (A) and 200 nm for (B). (C) Height profiles along the solid green lines shown in (A) and (B).

2.1.3. POPC/Chol Bilayer

We used a POPC + 30% Chol bilayer to study the role of Chol in mediating αSyn–bilayer interactions. AFM images are shown in Figure 5. Circularly shaped defects were observed after exposing the bilayer to 1 μM αSyn. The defect area fractions are 0.04 and 0.17 at the incubation times of 27 and 107 min, respectively. Detailed defect structures were obtained by high-resolution scans focusing on one defect (Figure 6). Height profile showed that the defect depth is ∼2 nm, slightly larger than the values for POPC/POPG and POPC bilayers. The interior of the defect also contained many particles. Height profile revealed that the particles have a height of ∼2–6 nm, the same range as for POPC/POPG and POPC bilayers. Image analysis showed that the particle radius distribution does not conform to a Gaussian distribution (Figure S3). Nevertheless, the average particle radius is about 10 nm.

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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AFM images of a POPC + 30% Chol bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn as a function of the incubation time. Height scale is 4 nm. Scale bars are 2 μm. The area fractions of αSyn-induced semi-transmembrane defects are 0.04 and 0.17 as the incubation time increases from 27 to 107 min.

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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(A, B) High-resolution AFM images of a POPC + 30% Chol bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn. Scale bar is 500 nm for (A) and 200 nm for (B). (C) Height profiles along the solid green lines in (A) and (B).

2.1.4. POPC/POPE Bilayer

We used POPC/POPE bilayers to study the role of PE lipids in modulating membrane perturbations caused by αSyn. Figure 7 shows the AFM images of a POPC + 15% POPE bilayer treated with 1 μM αSyn. Dispersed defects were observed as the incubation time increased from 22 to 105 min. Longer incubation resulted in more defects. This is manifested by the defect area fractions, which are 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04 at the incubation times of 22, 58, and 105 min, respectively. Compared to the POPC bilayer, the defect area fraction is smaller for the POPC + 15% POPE bilayer at similar incubation times. Height profile showed that the defects in the POPC + 15% POPE bilayer have a depth of ∼1 nm (Figure 8). Nanoscale particles were also present in the interior of the defects. Height profile indicated that the particles have a height of ∼2–6 nm. Particle size is estimated by image analysis shown in Figure S4. A most probable particle radius of 7 nm was obtained by Gaussian curve fitting. We also examined a POPC + 40% POPE bilayer. After incubation with 1 μM αSyn for 106 min, no discernable defects were observed (Figure S5). By comparing results from POPC/POPE bilayers with a varying content of POPE, we conclude that POPE suppressed the effect of αSyn in inducing semi-transmembrane defects.

Figure 7.

Figure 7

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AFM images of a POPC + 15% POPE bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn as a function of the incubation time. Height scale is 4 nm. Scale bars are 2 μm. The defect area fractions are 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04 as the incubation time increases from 22 to 105 min.

Figure 8.

Figure 8

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(A, B) High-resolution AFM images of a POPC + 15% POPE bilayer exposed to 1 μM αSyn. Scale bar is 500 nm for (A) and 200 nm for (B). (C) Height profiles along the solid green lines in (A) and (B).

2.2. EPR Spectroscopy Experiments on Lipid Vesicles

2.2.1. Lipid Bilayer Fluidity

EPR spectra in the X-band (9.5 GHz) were used to determine lipid bilayer fluidity (or mobility) changes upon αSyn binding. EPR spectral line shapes are influenced by molecular motion and therefore reflect lipid fluidity.30,31 In particular, an increase in the spectral peak-to-peak splitting and/or a broadening of the spectral line shape indicate slower molecular motion. To assess mobility changes induced by αSyn binding, we chose 5-doxyl stearic acid (5-SASL) as the spin probe because position 5 of the acyl chain has been demonstrated to be the most sensitive to mobility changes in several molecular models.32,33 We note that EPR spectroscopy mainly reports an averaged change of the microenvironment near the spin probe. Here, lipid mobility changes were defined using the motional parameter 2A//, the peak-to-peak splitting of the spectrum, upon αSyn binding to lipid bilayers with different compositions. The protein-to-lipid (P/L) ratios investigated range from 1/200 to 1/50. As illustrated in Figures 9 and S6, the 2A// values were increased for negatively charged POPC/POPG 4:1 bilayers upon αSyn binding, indicating a decreased lipid mobility. A comparable decrease in lipid mobility was observed for POPC bilayers with 30% Chol. Conversely, minimal changes were observed for zwitterionic POPC bilayers.

Figure 9.

Figure 9

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Lipid mobility changes for POPC (red), POPC + 30% Chol (orange), and POPC/POPG 4:1 (green) bilayers in the presence of αSyn at three P/L ratios. The unit for the mobility change is Gauss. Greater 2A// values reflect lower lipid mobility and membrane fluidity.

2.2.2. Lipid Bilayer Polarity

The effect of αSyn on lipid bilayer polarity was assessed by EPR power saturation and solvent accessibility experiments.34 Because a polarity gradient is present across lipid bilayers, nonpolar molecules are more accessible to lipid acyl chains, while polar agents accumulate in the solvent and around the polar or charged headgroups of phospholipids. The equilibrium can be perturbed by molecules that modulate the bilayer structure and organization. EPR power saturation experiments are suitable to evaluate the polarity of lipid bilayers and how the polarity is perturbed by macromolecules. To achieve this information, we exploited the saturation of the EPR signal of a nitroxide placed at a specific position (5-SASL) of the acyl chain with increasing microwave power, which can be quantified using the saturation parameter P1/2. P1/2 values in the presence of the nonpolar reagent O2 and the polar reagent nickel(II) ethylenediaminediacetate (NiEDDA) can be used to calculate a depth parameter Φ, which reflects the polarity at a given position of the lipid bilayer. Figure 10 reports the Φ values for POPC, POPC/POPG 4:1, and POPC + 30% Chol bilayers with trace amounts of 5-SASL in the absence and presence of αSyn at P/L = 1/100. To be noted, the Φ values for the bilayers without αSyn are comparable between POPC and POPC/POPG 4:1, while the Φ value is larger for POPC + 30% Chol. The larger Φ value in the presence of Chol is caused by an enhanced lipid chain order and a reduced solvent penetration. The addition of αSyn caused no significant changes in the Φ value for POPC bilayers, confirming the weak perturbations observed in the mobility experiment (Figure 9). On the contrary, there is a considerable decrease in the Φ value for POPC/POPG bilayers upon αSyn binding (35%) and an even larger decrease for POPC + 30% Chol bilayers (43%). These data indicate that αSyn interacts strongly with POPC/POPG 4:1 and POPC + 30% Chol bilayers, causing more polar solvent penetration.

Figure 10.

Figure 10

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Membrane polarity changes upon the binding of αSyn for POPC (A), POPC + 30% Chol (B), and POPC/POPG 4:1 (C) bilayers at P/L = 1/100. (D) Comparison of the percentage of the Φ value changes of the three bilayers in the presence of αSyn. Greater Φ values indicate lower polarity.

3. Discussion

3.1. Mechanism of Bilayer Perturbation by αSyn

We used solution AFM to explore structural remodeling of several lipid bilayers induced by αSyn. A common theme is the observation of micron-scale semi-transmembrane defects after treating planar bilayers with 1 μM αSyn − aggregation of αSyn occurs at much higher concentrations even in the presence of anionic lipids.35 Pore-like structures induced by αSyn have been reported earlier.36,37 Our AFM measurements provide the first evidence that αSyn only causes semi-transmembrane defects, not membrane-spanning pores. The formation of semi-transmembrane defects is based on the measurement of defect depth, which is ∼1–2 nm. Note that we have used AFM imaging and obtained transmembrane defects with a depth of ∼4 nm when exposing lipid bilayers to an amphipathic Prion peptide.38 Generation of semi-transmembrane defects requires removal of lipid molecules from the top leaflet of the planar bilayer. Therefore, our AFM data support the mechanism of lipid extraction by αSyn. Many amphipathic peptides have a similar ability to extract lipid molecules from bilayer assemblies,39,40 a mechanism known as the detergent effect. After binding to lipid membranes, αSyn transits from a disordered structure to a helix-enriched conformation.8 Depending on the membrane curvature, αSyn can form an extended helix12 or two broken helices.10 In either case, αSyn exhibits an amphipathic characteristic where hydrophobic residues are segregated on one face, and polar and charged residues are enriched on the opposite face. The amphipathic characteristic of αSyn is likely to be responsible for the lipid extraction effect observed in our study. The lipid extraction effect of αSyn is also supported by other studies. For example, αSyn caused fragmentation of giant unilamellar vesicles;41 αSyn can act as a vesicle fusion promoter.42 Both bilayer fragmentation and vesicle fusion require lipid extraction from the parent bilayer.

Because we only observe defects formed in one leaflet, it seems that αSyn does not have the ability to translocate from one leaflet to the other. This result is in line with studies showing that αSyn only inserted into the proximal leaflet where the protein was administrated.41 Insertion of αSyn (at low concentrations before the formation of bilayer defects) into one leaflet will cause an area expansion of the target leaflet, whereas the area of the other leaflet will remain unchanged.43 The asymmetric area expansion across the coupled leaflets might cause bilayer bulging and tubulation.23,25,26

Within each semi-transmembrane defect, the removal of the top leaflet by αSyn will cause lipid acyl chains of the bottom leaflet being exposed to water. Such an arrangement is energetically unfavorable. We can speculate several mechanisms to counteract the unfavorable hydrophobic effect of exposed lipid acyl chains. Our AFM imaging showed that the number of particles in the interior of the defect is fairly large. These particles can cover part of the exposed lipid acyl chains. αSyn monomers that did not participate in particle formation can contribute to shielding the exposed lipid acyl chains by residing on the surface of the bottom leaflet. The lipids extracted from the top leaflet may interdigitate with the bottom leaflet to form a compacted pseudo-monolayer. Lastly, lipid molecules at the bottom leaflet may have a slow desorption rate from the mica surface. This will result in a temporarily trapped pseudo-monolayer.

In addition to semi-transmembrane defects, we report ∼10 nm-sized particles formed in the interior of the defects. Two explanations can account for the obtained nanoparticles. One is the formation of αSyn oligomers after binding to lipid bilayers. However, the size of the nanoparticles is larger than those of soluble oligomers prepared from monomeric αSyn.44,45 Moreover, protein aggregation of αSyn takes a longer time (e.g., a few days) than the duration of our AFM experiment.46 The most likely cause for the observed nanoparticles is that αSyn coaggregates with lipid molecules to form the ∼10 nm-sized nanoparticles. The possibility of forming lipoprotein nanoparticles is corroborated by the apolipoprotein motif of αSyn. Moreover, 7–10 nm-sized lipoprotein nanoparticles were reported when incubating αSyn with lipid vesicles.9

The lipid extraction by 1 μM αSyn likely represents a later event following protein binding. It is conceivable that when the concentration of αSyn becomes smaller, the probability of developing semi-transmembrane defects will be diminished. This is confirmed by our AFM experiments when exposing POPC/POPG 4:1 bilayers to αSyn solutions containing lower protein concentrations. Specifically, we found no defects at 0.2 μM αSyn and a few defects at 0.5 μM αSyn (data not shown). The observed trend is consistent with the theory that there is a minimum number of lipid molecules that are required to completely bind one αSyn molecule.47 Depending on the lipid bilayer composition, the minimum number was estimated to be ∼85–2000 lipids per αSyn.47 Bilayer destabilization can occur when the number of lipids is smaller than the required minimum lipid number. We estimated the P/L ratio (and the number of lipids per αSyn) used in our AFM experiments. The fluid cell diameter is ∼8 mm. Assuming an area per lipid of 0.62 nm2, the total number of lipids in one mica-supported bilayer is 1.62 × 1014. Assuming a fluid cell volume of 30 μL, the corresponding P/L ratios are 1/9, 1/18, and 1/45 at 1, 0.5, and 0.2 μM αSyn, respectively. These values indicate that at 1 μM αSyn, the number of lipids per αSyn is smaller than the lower boundary of the required minimum lipid number (i.e., 85). Due to the insufficiency of lipid molecules to completely bind all αSyn molecules, bilayer disruption (e.g., lipid extraction) can be elicited by excess αSyn. Therefore, our AFM data agree with the theory of the minimum lipid number per bound αSyn.47

Our EPR experiments were performed at low P/L ratios where the probability of lipid extraction by αSyn is small. Therefore, the obtained EPR data mostly reflect bilayer structural changes before the formation of semi-transmembrane defects. Another aspect is that spin probes at the inner and outer leaflets of lipid vesicles are likely to be affected differently by αSyn because the protein was added to the outside of the vesicles. Consequently, the obtained EPR data reflect an averaged effect of αSyn on lipid bilayer properties. For all the three bilayers studied, we observed an increase in the spectral peak-to-peak splitting, although the increase was much larger for POPC/POPG and POPC/Chol than for POPC. An increase in the peak-to-peak splitting indicates that αSyn reduced lipid mobility and bilayer fluidity. A similar result was reported by an earlier EPR spectroscopy study, which showed that αSyn restricted the segmental rotational mobility and increased the chain order of an anionic fluid bilayer.48 A reduction in bilayer fluidity was also reported by measuring changes in the general polarization of POPG bilayers.49 Computational simulations have predicted somewhat conflicting results. Both chain ordering50 and disordering43 were reported by the same group. Overall, αSyn can modulate structural and dynamical properties of lipid bilayers. Depending on the mode of bilayer interactions (e.g., bilayer penetration depth), the resulting changes in lipid bilayer properties can vary. For example, a shallow binding to the headgroup region is likely to have less impact on bilayer chain organization than a deep penetration into the hydrocarbon core.

3.2. Effect of Anionic Lipids

Anionic lipids are important constituents of presynaptic nerve terminals, where cytosolic αSyn is located. Our AFM data of POPC and POPC/POPG bilayers showed that αSyn caused a larger degree of bilayer perturbation when anionic lipid POPG was present. This is reflected in the difference of the defect area fraction. The edge of the defects also seems different. A smoother edge in the presence of POPG may represent a larger degree of the cooperativity of αSyn molecules in generating bilayer defects. Despite these differences, the nanoparticles produced by αSyn have a similar size scale (i.e., ∼10 nm radius) without or with 20% POPG. A larger degree of bilayer perturbation in the presence of POPG is also observed in our EPR experiments. In particular, spectral line-shape measurements revealed that αSyn caused a larger decrease in lipid mobility for the POPC/POPG than for the POPC bilayer. Similarly, EPR power saturation measurements showed a more significant increase in bilayer polarity when POPG was present. Our observation of a larger effect of αSyn on lipid bilayers containing POPG is consistent with the long-known role of anionic lipids in regulating αSyn–membrane interactions. αSyn adopts a helical conformation after binding to lipid membranes.8 Helical wheel analysis showed that many basic residues are located at the interface between the polar and nonpolar faces.8,11 The basic characteristic of αSyn is the primary cause for its marked preference of binding to membranes containing anionic lipids.8,47 The strong binding of αSyn to anionic lipids may modulate the kinetics of αSyn aggregation.35 Interestingly, not only the number of charges but also the position of the basic residues was found to affect membrane association of αSyn.51 Introduction of basic residues on the hydrophobic face of αSyn hindered its conformational change and diminished its membrane binding.51

3.3. Effect of Chol

Synaptic vesicles have a high Chol content.52 Although the function of vesicular Chol remains to be defined, Chol likely participates in synaptic vesicle cycling.53 At presynaptic plasma membranes, Chol was found to be required for vesicle biogenesis.54 Chol can affect protein functioning by modulating membrane material properties.55−57 In addition, Chol can act as a ligand by directly binding to proteins. Many studies have linked Chol to chronic neurodegenerative disorders.58

By monitoring monolayer pressure, Fantini et al. found that αSyn had a high affinity for Chol.59 The authors also identified a segment of αSyn (residues 67–78) called “titled peptide” that is hydrophobic and responsible for Chol binding. Molecular simulation revealed that the binding was facilitated by structural complementary between the rough β-face of Chol and the hydrophobic pocket of the titled peptide.59 In addition, the N-terminus of αSyn (residues 34–45) contains a Chol recognition consensus motif. The consensus domain was attributed as the second site for Chol binding, albeit with a weaker affinity.59 Chol binding may account for Chol efflux caused by exogenous αSyn.60 Chol binding may also increase the local concentration of αSyn on membrane surfaces; the augmented protein–protein interactions may then lead to Chol-stimulated αSyn aggregation.61

In addition to direct binding, Chol may regulate αSyn–membrane interactions by expanding the lipid headgroup–headgroup spacing; the increased vacancy in the headgroup region may then better accommodate αSyn binding and insertion. An analogy to Chol-induced expansion of the lipid headgroup–headgroup spacing can be found when studying αSyn binding to lipid unilamellar vesicles with different radii. αSyn has a stronger binding affinity to vesicles with smaller radii.8,62 The effect of vesicle curvature (radius) on αSyn binding can be understood by considering the intrinsic defects (e.g., vacancy) at the bilayer–water interface.63 Vesicles with larger curvature (i.e., smaller radius) have more intrinsic defects to facilitate αSyn binding.64

The effect of Chol is revealed by our AFM and EPR measurements on POPC and POPC + 30% Chol bilayers. Our AFM experiment showed that αSyn induced semi-transmembrane defects in both bilayers; the defect area fraction was larger for POPC/Chol than for POPC bilayers. In parallel, our EPR experiments showed that αSyn caused larger changes in lipid mobility and bilayer polarity when Chol was present. The enhanced bilayer perturbation in the presence of Chol can be caused by a higher bilayer binding affinity due to Chol−αSyn recognition.59 Alternatively, Chol expands lipid headgroup–headgroup spacing,65 allowing more αSyn molecules to insert into the headgroup region. The lipid mobility and bilayer polarity data from our EPR measurements are closely related to lipid chain organization. Because αSyn caused significant changes in lipid mobility and bilayer polarity of POPC/POPG and POPC/Chol, it is likely that (part of) αSyn penetrated deeper beyond the lipid headgroup region. This view is supported by reports from neutron reflection measurements.66,67

3.4. Effect of PE Lipids

PE lipids are the second most abundant phospholipids in mammalian cells. It accounts for 20–50 mol % of the total phospholipids; a content of ∼45 mol % is observed in the brain.68 One unique characteristic of PE lipids is that the polar headgroup has a smaller in-plane area than that of the hydrophobic acyl chains. The difference in the in-plane areas renders PE lipids a conical shape. Concomitantly, lipid assemblies (e.g., monolayer and bilayer) composed of PE lipids have a negative spontaneous curvature.69 In a bilayer assembly with large curvatures as exemplified by the synaptic nerve terminals, PE lipids are preferentially packed at the inner leaflet of the convex membrane. The second important feature of PE lipids resides in the amine group, which is a good hydrogen-bond donor. Interlipid hydrogen-bonding between the amine moiety of PE lipids and the phosphate oxygen (and carbonyl oxygen) of neighboring lipids contributes to an enhanced bilayer stability.70,71 A structural manifestation of the hydrogen-bonding is that PE lipids have smaller areas per lipid than those of PC counterparts.72 Hydrogen-bonding renders PE-containing membranes more resilient to perturbations imparted by external agents. For example, PE lipids are less susceptible to ethanol-facilitated lipid desorption.73 Our recent study of an amphipathic peptide called M2AH derived from the influenza M2 protein also showed that POPE inhibited the activity of M2AH in modulating lipid bilayer properties.74

An earlier study using thin-layer chromatography showed that αSyn bound to brain PE lipids; the authors also found that PE lipids in conjugation with anionic lipids, but not PE lipids alone, increased the helical content of αSyn.36 By monitoring birefringence and protein/lipid mass ratio, Ouberai et al. reported that cone-shaped PE lipids enhanced αSyn binding.75 Moreover, the binding affinity of αSyn to planar bilayers was larger than to curved vesicles. The authors attributed their findings to PE-induced packing defects.75

Here we used POPC/POPE bilayers to investigate the effect of PE lipids in response to αSyn perturbation. The experiment was performed at room temperature (∼23 °C). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements have been performed by Cannon et al. on POPC/POPE mixtures with the content of POPE ranging from 61 to 100%.76 DSC peaks were located at ∼18 and 22.4 °C for the POPE contents of 61 and 85%, respectively. The highest content of POPE in our study is 40%. Based on the relationship between the DSC peak position and the POPE content reported by Cannon et al., it is reasonable to deduce that the phase transition temperature for POPC + 40% POPE is lower than 18 °C. Therefore, the gel-to-fluid phase transition temperature for the POPC + 40% POPE bilayer is more than 5 °C below room temperature. Our AFM data suggested that POPE suppressed the capability of αSyn in inducing semi-transmembrane defects. This is reflected in the inverse relationship between the defect area fraction and the POPE content. Notably, no defects were observed at 40% POPE. Lipid extraction occurs during the formation of semi-transmembrane defects. The interlipid hydrogen-bonding between PE and PE (or PC) lipids creates a network that can act against lipid extraction. Our view of suppressed lipid extraction by αSyn due to interlipid hydrogen-bonding is substantiated by the finding that PE lipids negated lipid extraction by ethanol.73 Along the same line, the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 was found to be inactive against PE monolayers.77 Our observation of the inhibitory effect of PE lipids on αSyn activity is in stark contrast to the report showing that PE lipids enhanced αSyn binding.75 One plausible explanation is that anionic lipids were used together with PE lipids in the binding assay.75 Lipid–lipid electrostatic interactions coexist with (and may disrupt) interlipid hydrogen-bonding. Therefore, the binding assay data cannot be solely accounted for by considering the effect of PE lipids. Indeed, a mixture of PE and anionic lipids was found to increase the helical content of αSyn, whereas PE lipids alone exerted no effect.36 A second possible explanation is that formation of semi-transmembrane defects observed in our study represents a later stage following αSyn binding. A larger binding affinity toward PE bilayers does not necessarily result in more bilayer defects because the binding and lipid extraction can be two isolated events.

Membrane curvature remodeling is a highly regulated process during synaptic vesicle trafficking. Due to the abundance of PE lipids at the inner leaflet of synaptic plasma membranes and the reduced membrane interactions between αSyn and PE-containing membranes, premature membrane remodeling caused by αSyn could be inhibited during synaptic vesicle cycling. Alternatively, displacement of PE lipids from synaptic active zones78 may promote αSyn-induced membrane reorganization. As the brain ages, the PE content in neuronal membranes can decline. In particular, a significantly lower PE content was reported in PD patients than in control subjects.79 PE deficiency may lead to impaired αSyn–membrane interactions, thus causing αSyn-associated abnormality.80

4. Conclusions

In this paper, we used high-resolution AFM and EPR spectroscopy to investigate membrane modulations caused by the cytosolic protein αSyn. In particular, we used lipid bilayers with several lipid compositions to explore different lipid species in regulating αSyn–membrane interactions. We found that at high P/L ratios, αSyn perturbed lipid bilayers by forming micron-scale semi-transmembrane defects and ∼10 nm-sized lipoprotein nanoparticles. The obtained results are consistent with the amphipathic characteristic and the apolipoprotein motif of αSyn. By comparing results from POPC and POPC/POPG bilayers, we confirm the role of anionic lipids in enhancing bilayer perturbations caused by αSyn. We found that Chol increased the capability of αSyn in inducing semi-transmembrane defects, decreasing lipid mobility, and increasing bilayer polarity. The results can be explained by an increase in the lipid headgroup–headgroup spacing or specific Chol−αSyn interactions. We found an inhibitory effect of the cone-shaped POPE lipids on αSyn-induced membrane remodeling. We explained our data in the context of interlipid hydrogen-bonding that can stabilize bilayer organization and suppress lipid extraction. Lipid-dependent selective membrane interactions are likely important for αSyn functioning. This is exemplified by PD-associated genetic mutants of αSyn (A30P and A53T), which have weaker membrane binding affinities compared to the wild type.81

5. Materials and Methods

Lipids including  POPC, POPG, POPE, and Chol were purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids (Alabaster, AL). 5-SASL was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Human recombinant αSyn was purchased from Alexo-Tech AB (Sweden). Protein purity >95% was verified by the vendor (high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Fresh protein stock solutions were prepared by dissolving lyophilized protein powder in 10 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) pH 7.4. Centrifugation was used to remove preexisting fibrillar aggregates.

5.1. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Imaging

Lipid mixtures were prepared by mixing appropriate ratios of lipid stock solutions in glass test tubes. Organic solvents (chloroform or chloroform/methanol) were removed by a gentle stream of argon gas, followed by vacuum pumping for ∼2 h. Lipid dry films were hydrated in 10 mM HEPES pH 7.4. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) were produced by ultrasonication using a Sonic Dismembrator and a 3 mm microprobe. The obtained SUVs were centrifuged briefly before planar bilayer preparation. A Multimode 8 AFM (Bruker, Santa Barbara, CA) and a Nanoscope V controller were used for solution AFM imaging (room temperature). The experimental procedure has been reported elsewhere.38,82,83 Mica-supported planar bilayers were prepared by injecting lipid SUVs into a fluid cell where a freshly cleaved mica film acted as a solid substrate. SUVs in the vicinity of the mica film were attracted onto the mica surface, followed by vesicle rupture.84,85 Each ruptured vesicle will form a bilayer patch supported by the mica film. Because there were many vesicle rupture events taking place on the mica surface within a short period of time, a complete bilayer was formed by bilayer patch fusion within a few minutes. Excess SUVs that did not participate in bilayer formation were flushed out of the fluid cell by injecting the HEPES buffer. During the bilayer preparation process, the AFM tip was positioned at ∼50 μm above the mica surface. The peak-force quantitative nanomechanics (QNM) mode was used for bilayer scanning with the peak force set to ∼300 pN. Square images were acquired using a silicon nitride probe DNP-S10 with a scan rate of 0.5–1 Hz. To eliminate potential artifacts induced by repetitive scanning, we manually moved the AFM tip to a different region after acquiring one or a few images at one location. The obtained topographic (height) images were leveled by subtracting a polynomial background. Image analysis was performed using in-house-developed Matlab scripts.

5.2. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy

5.2.1. Vesicle Preparation

Unilamellar liposomes were prepared by the extrusion method. Lipids in chloroform were mixed in a glass tube and dried as thin films under a stream of nitrogen gas. 1–2 mol % of 5-SASL was added to the lipid mixture. To remove residual organic solvent, the lipid films were further dried using a vacuum pump for ∼16 h. The lipids were resuspended in a HEPES buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) by vortexing for 1–2 min and then subjected to ≥6 freeze-and-thaw cycles. The lipid suspension was then extruded ≥30 times through a mini extruder with a 100 nm polycarbonate membrane (Avanti Polar Lipids).

5.2.2. Lipid Bilayer Fluidity Measurements

Lipid bilayer fluidity measurements were carried out in X-band (9.5 GHz) on a Bruker E680 continuous-wave and pulsed EPR spectrometer with a 4119HS high-sensitivity resonator (Bruker, Billerica, MA) at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL). EPR spectra were acquired with 100 kHz modulation frequency, 2.4 mW incident microwave power (18 dB), 0.16 mT modulation amplitude, 81.92 ms time constant, 81.92 ms conversion time, and 16 mT scan width. Samples were loaded in 0.6 mm inner-diameter glass capillary tubes. Liposomes with 1 mol % of 5-SASL were prepared in a pH 7.4 HEPES buffer as described earlier with a total of 10 mM lipid concentration. The protein solution was mixed with liposomes to achieve the desired P/L ratios.

5.2.3. Lipid Bilayer Polarity Measurements

Lipid bilayer polarity was determined by EPR power saturation experiments in X-band (9.5 GHz) on a Bruker E680 spectrometer with a loop-gap resonator (Molecular Specialties, Milwaukee, WI) at the NHMFL. The samples were loaded in gas-permeable TPX capillary tubes (Molecular Specialties) and purged using a stream of either air or nitrogen (N2) gas. EPR spectra were collected at room temperature with 100 kHz modulation frequency, 0.16 mT modulation amplitude, 10.24 ms time constant, 20.48 ms conversion time, and 0.35 mT scan width centered on the central peak. The microwave power was ramped up automatically from 0.06 to 118 mW, averaging the spectrum at each power for nine times. Each power saturation experiment consisted of three sets of spectra: first, the spectra were collected on the sample under a stream of air to ensure membrane contact with oxygen (O2); second, the sample was purged for at least 20 min with a stream of N2 and then the spectra were collected; third, the sample with 50 mM of nickel(II) ethylenediaminediacetate (NiEDDA) was purged for at least 20 min with a stream of N2 and then the spectra were collected. The obtained saturation curves (peak-to-peak amplitude vs microwave power) were fitted with a standard equation34,86 to derive the saturation parameters P1/2 for O2, N2, and NiEDDA spectra. Based on P1/2, the accessibility of spin probes to relaxing agents (i.e., O2 and NiEDDA) can be estimated by an accessibility parameter (Π).34 The dimensionless polarity (or depth) parameter Φ was calculated from the ratio of the accessibility values Π (O2) to Π (NiEDDA).34

Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health Award Number 1R15GM117531-01 to J.P. and the NHMFL UCGP Grant Number 5080 and the National Institutes of Health Award Number 5R03AI122860 to L.S. The EPR data were collected at the NHMFL supported by the NSF DMR-1157490 and the State of Florida.

Supporting Information Available

The Supporting Information is available free of charge on the ACS Publications website at DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01462.

  • Image analysis of nanoscale particles observed in a POPC/POPG 4:1 bilayer after treatment with αSyn (Figure S1); image analysis of nanoparticles observed in a POPC bilayer after treatment with αSyn (Figure S2); image analysis of nanoparticles observed in a POPC + 30% Chol bilayer after treatment with αSyn (Figure S3); image analysis of nanoparticles observed in a POPC + 15% POPE bilayer after treatment with αSyn (Figure S4); AFM images of a POPC + 40% POPE bilayer exposed to αSyn (Figure S5); EPR spectra of liposomes labeled with 5-SASL (Figure S6) (PDF)

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Supplementary Material

ao8b01462_si_001.pdf (3.9MB, pdf)

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