Alpha-synuclein oligomerization: a role for lipids?
Alpha-Synuclein is a core component of the proteinaceous aggregates observed in several neurodegenerative diseases. A central role of alpha-synuclein in neurodegeneration was demonstrated by the discovery of missense alpha-synuclein mutations in familial Parkinson's disease. However, the specific mechanism by which alpha-synuclein contributes to these diseases remains unclear. A recent study by Sharon et al. linked the presence of specific fatty acids to the appearance of alpha-synuclein oligomers in vivo. alpha-Synuclein oligomers might be a first step in the formation of alpha-synuclein aggregates present in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, although their cytotoxicity remains to be directly demonstrated.
Welch
Kevin
K
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Yuan
Junying
J
D000818:Animals; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
D005227:Fatty Acids; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein