Localization of alpha-synuclein to mitochondria within midbrain of mice.
The interrelationship between alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) and mitochondria is not clearly understood. Owing to the lack of the signal peptide and its predominant localization in the cytosol, alpha-syn is generally considered to affect mitochondrial function through some secondary effects. Contrary to this assumption, here, we show that a portion of alpha-syn is present in the membrane of mitochondria in normal dopaminergic neurons. The same profile is also found in other alpha-syn-positive neurons. Thus, binding to the membrane of mitochondria is the physiological nature of alpha-syn and might also contribute to the pathological role of this protein in the mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Li
Wen-Wei
WW
Laboratory for Neurological Research of the Institute of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, People's Republic of China. wenweili2000@yahoo.com.cn
Yang
Ru
R
Guo
Jing-Chun
JC
Ren
Hui-Min
HM
Zha
Xi-Liang
XL
Cheng
Jie-Shi
JS
Cai
Ding-Fang
DF
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000502:physiology; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism*
D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D004298:Dopamine