Fig. 5: Mechanism of αSyn-mediated membrane alteration and cell malfunction.
From: Freezing and piercing of in vitro asymmetric plasma membrane by α-synuclein
a αSyn binds and accumulates on the cytosolic side of the membrane, leading to membrane freezing of both leaflets and capacitance change possibly due to thinning. b Some membrane-bound αSyn form oligomers in which 4 α-helices span the membrane, nucleating a pore. The pore is enlarged by subsequent addition of αSyn coming one by one from the cytosol. c Example of potential damages to neuronal activity due to αSyn-mediated simultaneous thinning, freezing and piercing of the membrane.
