Glycosaminoglycans promote fibril formation by amyloidogenic immunoglobulin light chains through a transient interaction

Amyloid formation occurs when a precursor protein misfolds and aggregates, forming a fibril nucleus that serves as a template for fibril growth. Glycosaminoglycans are highly charged polymers known to associate with tissue amyloid deposits that have been shown to accelerate amyloidogenesis in vitro. We studied two immunoglobulin light chain variable domains from light chain amyloidosis patients with 90% sequence identity, analyzing their fibril formation kinetics and binding properties with different glycosaminoglycan molecules. We find that the less amyloidogenic of the proteins shows a weak dependence on glycosaminoglycan size and charge, while the more amyloidogenic protein responds only minimally to changes in the glycosaminoglycan. These glycosaminoglycan effects on fibril formation do not depend on a stable interaction between the two species but still show characteristic traits of an interaction-dependent mechanism. We propose that transient, predominantly electrostatic interactions between glycosaminoglycans and the precursor proteins mediate the acceleration of fibril formation in vitro.

Graphical abstractDownload full-size imageResearch highlights► Two amyloidogenic Light chains show differing response to the presence of glycosaminoglycans. ► AL-103 shows a weak dependence on heparin size- and charge on fibril formation reactions. ► Acceleration effects observed do not depend on a stable interaction between GAGs and protein. ► GAG mediated acceleration of fibril formation shows concentration and salt dependence. ► We propose that transient interactions between GAGs and a precursor state drive fibril formation.