Supramolecular Structures and Assemblies of Neurofilaments

The purpose of this project is to find the supramolecular structure of neurofilaments. Neurofilaments are a major component of the cytoskeleton in neuronal cells and comprise a majority of the protein within axons. Axons are the primary transmission lines of the nervous system. When neurofilaments assemble incorrectly it is thought to cause neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. First, neurofilaments were purified from bovine spinal cord using several techniques including centrifuging through a sucrose cushion and running through an ion-exchange column. Protein was then tested for purity using gel electrophoresis. Simulating the body's own mechanism for regulating protein interaction, we then changed the phosphorylation of the protein and observed the results using small angle x-ray diffraction.