Comparison of kindreds with parkinsonism and alpha-synuclein genomic multiplications.
Genomic triplication of the alpha-synuclein gene recently has been associated with familial Parkinson's disease in the Spellman-Muenter kindred. Here, we present an independent family, of Swedish-American descent, with hereditary early-onset parkinsonism with dementia due to alpha-synuclein triplication. Brain tissue available from affected individuals in both kindreds provided the opportunity to compare their clinical, pathological, and biochemical phenotypes. Of note, studies of brain mRNA and soluble protein levels demonstrate a doubling of alpha-synuclein expression, consistent with molecular genetic data. Pathologically, cornu ammonis 2/3 hippocampal neuronal loss appears to be a defining feature of this form of inherited parkinsonism. The profound implications of alpha-synuclein overexpression for idiopathic synucleinopathies are discussed.
Farrer
Matt
M
Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. farrer.matthew@mayo.edu
Kachergus
Jennifer
J
Forno
Lysia
L
Lincoln
Sarah
S
Wang
Deng-Shun
DS
Hulihan
Mary
M
Maraganore
Demetrius
D
Gwinn-Hardy
Katrina
K
Wszolek
Zbigniew
Z
Dickson
Dennis
D
Langston
J William
JW
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010375:Pedigree; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein