Alpha-synuclein and the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
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.
Martin
Francis L
FL
Department of Biological Sciences, I.E.N.S., Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
Williamson
Sally J M
SJ
Paleologou
Katerina E
KE
Allsop
David
D
El-Agnaf
Omar M A
OM
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
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein