Isotropic-nematic phase transition in amyloid fibrilization

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the isotropic-nematic phase transition in amyloid fibril solutions, exploring how factors like concentration and fibril rigidity influence phase behavior and relating findings to experimental observations.

Contribution

It introduces a thermodynamic model adapted from cylindrical micelles to study amyloid fibril phase transitions, highlighting the effects of various parameters on fibril ordering.

Findings

Fibril length distribution varies with protein concentration.

Phase behavior depends on fibril rigidity and binding energy.

Nematic ordering observed in Hen Lysozyme fibril solutions.

Abstract

We carry out a theoretical study on the isotropic-nematic phase transition and phase separation in amyloid fibril solutions. Borrowing the thermodynamic model employed in the study of cylindrical micelles, we investigate the variations in the fibril length distribution and phase behavior with respect to changes in the protein concentration, fibril's rigidity, and binding energy. We then relate our theoretical findings to the nematic ordering observed in Hen Lysozyme fibril solution.