title: Alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity in neuronal nuclear inclusions and neurites in multiple system atrophy.
abstract: We examined neuronal and oligodendroglial nuclear inclusions and neurites in the pontine base of multiple system atrophy brains using an antibody to alpha-synuclein. Immunohistochemistry showed alpha-synuclein positive inclusions in the nuclei of some neurons and oligodendroglia. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the labeled inclusions were composed of bundles of tightly packed straight filaments with a diameter of 10-20 nm. The filaments were similar, if not identical, in morphology and immunoreactivity, to those found in the soma of neurons and oligodendrocytes with glial cytoplasmic inclusions. In addition, similar immuno-positive filaments were found in dendrites or unmyelinated axons, but not in myelinated axons. The functional significance of these inclusions in terms of transcriptional and axonal dysfunction is unknown.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
authors.forename: Wen-Lang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: DeLucia
authors.forename: Dennis W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Dickson
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D045586:Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011149:Pons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein