Intracellular screening of a peptide library to derive a potent peptide inhibitor of α-synuclein aggregation

Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) into toxic fibrils is a pathogenic hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have largely focused on residues 71-82, yet most early onset mutations are located between residues 46-53. A semi-rationally designed 209,952 member library library based entirely on this region was constructed, containing all wild-type residues and changes associated with early onset PD. Intracellular cell-survival screening and growth competition isolated a 10-residue peptide antagonist that potently inhibits α-syn aggregation and associated toxicity at 1:1 stoichiometry. This was verified using continuous growth measurements, and MTT cytotoxicity studies. Atomic force microscopy, and circular dichroism on the same samples showed a random-coil structure and no oligomers. A new region of α-syn for inhibitor targeting has been highlighted, together with the approach of using semi-rational design and intracellular screening. These peptides are candidates for modification into drugs capable of slowing or even preventing the onset of PD.