High Speed AFM and NanoInfrared Spectroscopy Investigation of Aβ1-42 Peptide Variants and Their Interaction With POPC/SM/Chol/GM1 Model Membranes

Due to an aging population, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) have become a major health issue. In the case of AD, Aβ_{1 - 42} peptides have been identified as one of the markers of the disease with the formation of senile plaques via their aggregation, and could play a role in memory impairment and other tragic syndromes associated with the disease. Many studies have shown that not only the morphology and structure of Aβ_{1 - 42} peptide assembly are playing an important role in the formation of amyloid plaques, but also the interactions between Aβ_{1 - 42} and the cellular membrane are crucial regarding the aggregation processes and toxicity of the amyloid peptides. Despite the increasing amount of information on AD associated amyloids and their toxicity, the molecular mechanisms involved still remain unclear and require in-depth investigation at the local scale to clearly decipher the role of the sequence of the amyloid peptides, of their secondary structures, of their oligomeric states, and of their interactions with lipid membranes. In this original study, through the use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) related-techniques, high-speed AFM and nanoInfrared AFM, we tried to unravel at the nanoscale the link between aggregation state, structure and interaction with membranes in the amyloid/membrane interaction. Using three mutants of Aβ peptides, L34T, oG37C, and WT Aβ_{1 - 42} peptides, with differences in morphology, structure and assembly process, as well as model lipidic membranes whose composition and structure allow interactions with the peptides, our AFM study coupling high spatial and temporal resolution and nanoscale structure information clearly evidences a local correlation between the secondary structure of the peptides, their fibrillization kinetics and their interactions with model membranes. Membrane disruption is associated to small transient oligomeric entities in the early stages of aggregation that strongly interact with the membrane, and present an antiparallel β-sheet secondary structure. The strong effect on membrane integrity that exists when these oligomeric Aβ_{1 - 42} peptides interact with membranes of a particular composition could be a lead for therapeutic studies.

Investigation of the carbon nanotube AFM tip contacts: free sliding versus pinned contact

Mechanical response of carbon nanotube atomic force microscope probes are investigated using a thermal noise forcing. Thermal noise spectra are able to investigate mechanical behaviors that cannot be studied using classical atomic force microscope modes. Experimental results show that the carbon nanotube contacts can be classified in two categories: the free sliding and pinned cases. The pinned contact case requires the description of the cantilever flexural vibrations with support spring-coupled cantilever boundary conditions. Our experimental results show that carbon nanotubes exhibit different contact behaviors with a surface, and in turn different mechanical responses.

Competition of elastic and adhesive properties of carbon nanotubes anchored to atomic force microscopy tips

In this paper we address the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes anchored to atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips in a detailed analysis of experimental results and exhaustive description of a simple model. We show that volume elastic and surface adhesive forces both contribute to the dynamical AFM experimental signals. Their respective weights depend on the nanotube properties and on an experimental parameter: the oscillation amplitude. To quantify the elastic and adhesive contributions, a simple analytical model is used. It enables analytical expressions of the resonance frequency shift and dissipation that can be measured in the atomic force microscopy dynamical frequency modulation mode. It includes the nanotube adhesive contribution to the frequency shift. Experimental data for single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes compare well to the model predictions for different oscillation amplitudes. Three parameters can be extracted: the distance necessary to unstick the nanotube from the surface and two spring constants corresponding to tube compression and to the elastic force required to overcome the adhesion force.

Drying nano particles solution on an oscillating tip at an air liquid interface: what we can learn, what we can do

Evaporation of fluid at micro and nanometer scale may be used to self-assemble nanometre-sized particles in suspension. Evaporating process can be used to gently control flow in micro and nanofluidics, thus providing a potential mean to design a fine pattern onto a surface or to functionalize a nanoprobe tip. In this paper, we present an original experimental approach to explore this open and rather virgin domain. We use an oscillating tip at an air liquid interface with a controlled dipping depth of the tip within the range of the micrometer. Also, very small dipping depths of a few ten nanometers were achieved with multi walls carbon nanotubes glued at the tip apex. The liquid is an aqueous solution of functionalized nanoparticles diluted in water. Evaporation of water is the driving force determining the arrangement of nanoparticles on the tip. The results show various nanoparticles deposition patterns, from which the deposits can be classified in two categories. The type of deposit is shown to be strongly dependent on whether or not the triple line is pinned and of the peptide coating of the gold nanoparticle. In order to assess the classification, companion dynamical studies of nanomeniscus and related dissipation processes involved with thinning effects are presented.

Liquid mechanical behavior of mixed monolayers of amino and alkyl silanes by atomic force microscopy

The adsorption of mixed terminally aminated organosilyl compounds with long-chain n-alkyltrichlorosilanes on silica substrates has been studied by FTIR and AFM to deposit and study DNA. By optimization of deposition conditions, the mixed monolayers were found to be well organized and homogeneous. The amino group was protected to obtain a reproducible grafting and then deprotected after the film formation. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies in both dynamical modes, amplitude modulation and frequency modulation, reveal that the layer behaves as a fluid as measured by the tip-cantilever and has a smaller characteristic time than the tip-cantilever. For three amplitudes, the experimental frequency shifts have been modeled for a fluidlike layer crossed by the tip. Finally, we show that this new fluidlike monolayer is suitable for DNA deposition and AFM studies.