From isolated polyelectrolytes to star-like assemblies: the role of sequence heterogeneity on the statistical structure of the intrinsically disordered neurofilament-low tail domain.

TitleFrom isolated polyelectrolytes to star-like assemblies: the role of sequence heterogeneity on the statistical structure of the intrinsically disordered neurofilament-low tail domain.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsKravikass, Mathar, Gil Koren, Omar A. Saleh, and Roy Beck
JournalEur Phys J E Soft Matter
Volume47
Issue2
Pagination13
Date Published2024 Feb 15
ISSN1292-895X
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Intermediate Filaments, Intrinsically Disordered Proteins, Polyelectrolytes, Polymers
Abstract

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are a subset of proteins that lack stable secondary structure. Given their polymeric nature, previous mean-field approximations have been used to describe the statistical structure of IDPs. However, the amino-acid sequence heterogeneity and complex intermolecular interaction network have significantly impeded the ability to get proper approximations. One such case is the intrinsically disordered tail domain of neurofilament low (NFLt), which comprises a 50 residue-long uncharged domain followed by a 96 residue-long negatively charged domain. Here, we measure two NFLt variants to identify the impact of the NFLt two main subdomains on its complex interactions and statistical structure. Using synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering, we find that the uncharged domain of the NFLt induces attractive interactions that cause it to self-assemble into star-like polymer brushes. On the other hand, when the uncharged domain is truncated, the remaining charged N-terminal domains remain isolated in solution with typical polyelectrolyte characteristics. We further discuss how competing long- and short-ranged interactions within the polymer brushes dominate their ensemble structure and, in turn, their implications on previously observed phenomena in NFL native and diseased states.

DOI10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00409-8
Alternate JournalEur Phys J E Soft Matter
PubMed ID38358563
PubMed Central IDPMC10869404
Grant List2113302 / / Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences /
2020787 / / United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation /
1454/20 / / Israel Science Foundation /
iNEXT-Discovery (15410) / / H2020 European Research Council /