Development of label-free vibrational spectroscopy to quantify and visualize alpha-synuclein molecules in vivo

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860660
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Nagashima Yu 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 特任研究員 (20635586)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: シヌクレイン / パーキンソン病 / ラマン分光法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Alpha-synuclein plays an important role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we developed a novel method to quantify and visualize aggregated alpha-synuclein molecules using Raman microspectroscopy. Using this, we obtained Raman spectroscopic image of alpha-synuclein aggregates formed in vitro and in the culture cells. Vibrational spectra obtained using Raman spectroscopy provides vibrational information characteristic of chemical groups in a molecule. Measuring vibrational spectra enables us to locate and quantitate alpha-synuclein within tissues in a molecular specific manner. The alpha-synuclein aggregates formed in both conditions showed identical Raman spectroscopic patterns and they are different from those of monomeric alpha-synuclein. As Raman spectroscopy is label-free technique, the Raman shifts which is specific to aggregated alpha-synuclein molecules will work as a molecular specific marker within a physiological condition in vivo.

Free Research Field

神経内科学