An Overview of Alpha Synuclein Protein and Its Role in Parkinson’s disease

Pergin Atilla,Zeynep Bengisu Kaya

doi:10.32552/2021.actamedica.510

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is the most common age-related motor movement disorder. Pathological changes in Parkinson’s disease are the loss of melanin-containing dopaminergic neurons and the detection of inclusion bodies in the cells, which contain alpha-synuclein and ubiquitinated proteins, called as Lewy bodies. In this review; the structure of Lewy bodies, structural features and intracellular localization of α-synuclein protein, intracellular functions and intercellular spread of α-synuclein protein are discussed. The physiological and pathologic features of α-synuclein protein are reviewed based mostly upon review of the literature. α-synuclein has significant functions especially at central nervous system. α-synuclein is a protein that can be found in various areas within the cell, particularly in the presynaptic axon terminals. Under pathologic conditions, cellular accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein oligomers and aggregates are observed in a group of neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopathies. The mechanisms of how α-synuclein protein takes part in the neurodegeneration process and physiologic roles of the protein have not been fully elucidated yet. It’s important to unravel the secrets of this protein and understand its behaviours in order to improve existing treatment protocols and also to develop new and more effective treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.

Highlights

Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common agerelated motor movement disorder ans second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease
Motor symptoms usually occur after 80% loss of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra pars compacta
There is no single pathway describing the underlying mechanism of the disease, the main mechanism responsible for cellular pathologies is thought to be the aggregation of α-syn protein and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common agerelated motor movement disorder ans second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. The prevalence of the disease is 2-3 per thousand in the population and 1% in the age of 55 years It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which many systems are affected. Both non-motor and motor symptoms occur during the progress of the disease. There is no single pathway describing the underlying mechanism of the disease, the main mechanism responsible for cellular pathologies is thought to be the aggregation of α-syn protein and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. Another important mechanism is neuroinflammation, which is getting. Since there is no definitive cure for PD nor other neurodegenerative disorders, it is crucial to enlighten cellular pathologies and neurodegeneration pathways to develop new treatments for efficient clinical practices

Lewy Bodies

Synucleins and Alpha Synuclein

Kaya and Atilla

Alpha Synuclein

CONCLUSION