AUTHOR=Martins Pedro M. , Navarro Susanna , Silva Alexandra , Pinto Maria F. , Sárkány Zsuzsa , Figueiredo Francisco , Pereira Pedro José Barbosa , Pinheiro Francisca , Bednarikova Zuzana , Burdukiewicz Michał , Galzitskaya Oxana V. , Gazova Zuzana , Gomes Cláudio M. , Pastore Annalisa , Serpell Louise C. , Skrabana Rostislav , Smirnovas Vytautas , Ziaunys Mantas , Otzen Daniel E. , Ventura Salvador , Macedo-Ribeiro Sandra TITLE=MIRRAGGE – Minimum Information Required for Reproducible AGGregation Experiments JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience VOLUME=13 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2020.582488 DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2020.582488 ISSN=1662-5099 ABSTRACT=

Reports on phase separation and amyloid formation for multiple proteins and aggregation-prone peptides are recurrently used to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with several human diseases. The information conveyed by these reports can be used directly in translational investigation, e.g., for the design of better drug screening strategies, or be compiled in databases for benchmarking novel aggregation-predicting algorithms. Given that minute protocol variations determine different outcomes of protein aggregation assays, there is a strong urge for standardized descriptions of the different types of aggregates and the detailed methods used in their production. In an attempt to address this need, we assembled the Minimum Information Required for Reproducible Aggregation Experiments (MIRRAGGE) guidelines, considering first-principles and the established literature on protein self-assembly and aggregation. This consensus information aims to cover the major and subtle determinants of experimental reproducibility while avoiding excessive technical details that are of limited practical interest for non-specialized users. The MIRRAGGE table (template available in Supplementary Information) is useful as a guide for the design of new studies and as a checklist during submission of experimental reports for publication. Full disclosure of relevant information also enables other researchers to reproduce results correctly and facilitates systematic data deposition into curated databases.