[Alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease]

Przegl Lek. 2014;71(1):26-32.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, of which patomechanizm entirely is not clear. In the picture neuropathologically there is observed degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons, but also noradrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurons in patients with PD. It is believed, that causes of PD are both environmental and genetic factors, associated mainly with mutations in the SNCA and PRKN genes, which may lead to changes in the structure of proteins such as alpha-synuclein (ASN) and Parkin. In neurons, disorders of the protein structure can lead to its aggregation and formation of soluble oligomers and insoluble filaments in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neuritis. In PD aggregation of ASN can be modulated by many factors like: oxidative stress, other neuronal proteins, Parkin, catecholamines especially dopamine, and mutations of SNCA gene. It also appears that some impact on the aggregation of ASN may have destabilizing factors of ASN tetramers. That, does ASN may become a new point for pharmacotherapy in PD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • alpha-Synuclein / drug effects
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex