title: Aggregation of alpha-synuclein induced by the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide system.
abstract: Alpha-synuclein is a major component of the abnormal protein aggregation in Lewy bodies of Parkinson's disease (PD) and senile plaques of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that the aggregation of alpha-synuclein was induced by copper (II) and H(2)O(2) system. Since copper ions could be released from oxidatively damaged Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), we investigated the role of Cu,Zn-SOD in the aggregation of alpha-synuclein. When alpha-synuclein was incubated with both Cu,Zn-SOD and H(2)O(2), alpha-synuclein was induced to be aggregated. This process was inhibited by radical scavengers and spin trapping agents such as 5,5'-dimethyl 1-pyrolline N-oxide and tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone. Copper chelators, diethyldithiocarbamate and penicillamine, also inhibited the Cu,Zn-SOD/H(2)O(2) system-induced alpha-synuclein aggregation. These results suggest that the aggregation of alpha-synuclein is mediated by the Cu,Zn-SOD/H(2)O(2) system via the generation of hydroxyl radical by the free radical-generating function of the enzyme. The Cu,Zn-SOD/H(2)O(2)-induced alpha-synuclein aggregates displayed strong thioflavin-S reactivity, reminiscent of amyloid. These results suggest that the Cu,Zn-SOD/H(2)O(2) system might be related to abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD and related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Division of Natural Sciences, Chongju University, Chongju 360-764, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Sik
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soo Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyeok Yil
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Moo Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Tae Cheon
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jung Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase