title: Alpha-synuclein and the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Lesions known as Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) characterise brains of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Intracellular aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) appears to play a key role in the generation of LBs and LNs. Such aggregation in the presence of redox metals may initiate Fenton reaction-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS thus generated may result in cytotoxic mechanisms such as the induction of DNA single-strand breaks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, I.E.N.S., Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
authors.forename: Francis L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Sally J M
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Katerina E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Paleologou
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Allsop
authors.forename: Omar M A
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: El-Agnaf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein