Synuclein Aggregation: Critical Role of Water in Entropy-Driven, Temperature-Responsive Aggregations of Macromolecules and Cells
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The change from monomeric α-synuclein to aggregated forms plays a fundamental role in the initiation of Parkinson’s diseases that include its genetic subtypes. The biophysics of the homo-aggregation of whole cells (erythrocyte rouleaux) shares many features of the homo-aggregation of macromolecules such as α-synuclein. Evidence from both reveals that the aggregation pressure is determined as much by concentrations of surrounding macromolecules and water, as that of α-synuclein. Such entropic, rather than enthalmic, considerations predict that aggregation pressures would be less if measures were taken to prevent transient small increases in body temperature.