Excitation Energy Migration Unveils Fuzzy Interfaces within the Amyloid Architecture

Abstract

Amyloid fibrils are highly ordered nanoscopic protein aggregates comprising a cross-β amyloid core and are associated with deadly human diseases. Structural studies have revealed the supramolecular architecture of a variety of disease-associated amyloids. However, the critical role of transient intermolecular interactions between the disordered polypeptide segments of protofilaments in directing the supramolecular structure and nanoscale morphology remains elusive. Here, we present a unique case to demonstrate that interchain excitation energy migration via intermolecular homo-Förster resonance energy transfer can decipher the architecture of amyloid fibrils of human α-synuclein. Site-specific homo-Förster resonance energy transfer efficiencies measured by fluorescence depolarization allowed us to construct a two-dimensional proximity correlation map that defines the supramolecular packing of α-synuclein within the fibrils. These studies captured unique heteroterminal cross talks between the fuzzy interprotofilament interfaces of the parallel-in-register amyloid spines. Our results will find applications in discerning the broader role of protein disorder and fuzziness in steering the distinct polymorphic amyloids that exhibit strain-specific disease phenotypes.