α-Synuclein & Parkinson's Disease

α-Synuclein & Parkinson's Disease

Recently the Talaga Lab has found that the initiation of amyloidogenic aggregation in alpha-synuclein occurs at hydrophobic interfaces and does not occur in their absence. The data is consistent with the initial dimerization being the step activated by association of alpha-synuclein with the hydrophobic interface. Given the association of alpha-synuclein amyloidogenesis with the progression of Parkinson's Disease, the Talaga Lab is seeking to continue these studies to determine what conditions, if any, can induce amyloid formation in the absence of hydrophobic interfaces. The Talaga Lab is also investigating the nature of the association of alpha-synuclein with the interface to determine the relevant sequence and condition determinants on the heterogeneous initiation process.