Ultrasonication-dependent formation and degradation of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils

• Effects of ultrasonic irradiation on α-synuclein were examined.
• Ultrasonication was effective for inducing amyloid fibrils.
• Extensive ultrasonic irradiation transformed preformed fibrils into amorphous aggregates.
• Hydrophobic interface of cavitation bubbles may have destabilized the fibrils.
• Amorphous aggregates produced by ultrasonication showed higher cytotoxicity.

Ultrasonication can be used to break the supersaturation of α-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease, at pH 7.4 above the critical concentration of fibrillation, thereby inducing the formation of amyloid fibrils. We speculated that ultrasonication could also be used to depolymerize preformed fibrils below the critical concentration. However, extensive ultrasonic irradiation transformed preformed fibrils into amorphous aggregates even above the critical concentration. Exposing preformed fibrils to the hydrophobic air–water interface of cavitation bubbles may have destabilized the fibrils and stabilized amorphous aggregates. Upon extensive ultrasonic irradiation, the accompanying decomposition of chemical structures was suggested when monitored by analytical ultracentrifugation. Amorphous aggregates produced by extensive ultrasonication showed higher cytotoxicity, suggesting that, although ultrasonication might be a useful approach for inactivating amyloid fibrils, potential cytotoxicity of amorphous aggregates should be considered.

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