8RQM | pdb_00008rqm

Alpha-synuclein amyloid fibrils


Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
  • Resolution: 3.20 Å
  • Aggregation State: FILAMENT 
  • Reconstruction Method: HELICAL 

Starting Model: experimental
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wwPDB Validation 3D Report Full Report

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This is version 1.1 of the entry. See complete history

Literature

Stepwise recruitment of chaperone Hsc70 by DNAJB1 produces ordered arrays primed for bursts of amyloid fibril disassembly.

Monistrol, J.Beton, J.G.Johnston, E.C.Dang, T.L.Bukau, B.Saibil, H.R.

(2025) Commun Biol 8: 522-522

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07906-2
  • Primary Citation Related Structures: 
    8RQM, 8RRR

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    The Hsp70 chaperone system is capable of disassembling pathological aggregates such as amyloid fibres associated with serious degenerative diseases. Here we examine the role of the J-domain protein co-factor in amyloid disaggregation by the Hsc70 system. We used cryo-EM and tomography to compare the assemblies with wild-type DNAJB1 or inactive mutants. We show that DNAJB1 binds regularly along α-synuclein amyloid fibrils and acts in a 2-step recruitment of Hsc70, releasing DNAJB1 auto-inhibition before activating Hsc70 ATPase. The wild-type DNAJB1:Hsc70:Apg2 complex forms dense arrays of chaperones on the fibrils, with Hsc70 on the outer surface. When the auto-inhibition is removed by mutating DNAJB1 (ΔH5 DNAJB1), Hsc70 is recruited to the fibrils at a similar level, but the ΔH5 DNAJB1:Ηsc70:Apg2 complex is inactive, binds less regularly to the fibrils and lacks the ordered clusters. Therefore, we propose that 2-step activation of DNAJB1 regulates the ordered assembly of Hsc70 on the fibril. The localised, dense packing of chaperones could trigger a cascade of recruitment and activation to give coordinated, sequential binding and disaggregation from an exposed fibril end, as previously observed in AFM videos. This mechanism is likely to be important in maintaining a healthy cellular proteome into old age.


  • Organizational Affiliation
    • Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck University of London, Malet St, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.

Macromolecule Content 

  • Total Structure Weight: 86.86 kDa 
  • Atom Count: 2,472 
  • Modeled Residue Count: 360 
  • Deposited Residue Count: 840 
  • Unique protein chains: 1

Macromolecules

Find similar proteins by:|  3D Structure
Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChains  Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Alpha-synuclein
A, B, C, D, E
A, B, C, D, E, F
140Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: SNCANACPPARK1
UniProt & NIH Common Fund Data Resources
Find proteins for P37840 (Homo sapiens)
Explore P37840 
Go to UniProtKB:  P37840
PHAROS:  P37840
GTEx:  ENSG00000145335 
Entity Groups
Sequence Clusters30% Identity50% Identity70% Identity90% Identity95% Identity100% Identity
UniProt GroupP37840
Sequence Annotations
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Reference Sequence

Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
  • Resolution: 3.20 Å
  • Aggregation State: FILAMENT 
  • Reconstruction Method: HELICAL 
EM Software:
TaskSoftware PackageVersion
RECONSTRUCTIONRELION
MODEL REFINEMENTCoot
MODEL REFINEMENTPHENIX

Structure Validation

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Entry History 

& Funding Information

Deposition Data


Funding OrganizationLocationGrant Number
Wellcome TrustUnited Kingdom202679/Z/16/Z
Wellcome TrustUnited Kingdom206166/Z/17/Z
Wellcome TrustUnited Kingdom106249/Z/14/Z

Revision History  (Full details and data files)

  • Version 1.0: 2024-02-28
    Type: Initial release
  • Version 1.1: 2025-04-16
    Changes: Data collection, Database references, Structure summary