title: Does a prion-like mechanism play a major role in the apparent spread of α-synuclein pathology?
abstract: Parkinson's disease, the most common movement disorder, results in an insidious reduction for patients in quality of life and ability to function. A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the brain accumulation of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions comprised of the protein α-synuclein. The presence of α-synuclein brain aggregates is observed in several neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia with Lewy bodies and Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease. These disorders, as a group, are termed synucleinopathies. Mounting evidence indicates that α-synuclein amyloid pathology may spread during disease progression by a prion-like (self-templating alteration in protein conformation) mechanism. Clear in vitro and cell culture data demonstrate that amyloidogenic α-synuclein can readily induce the conversion of other α-synuclein molecules into this conformation. Some data from experimental mouse studies and autopsied brain analyses also are consistent with the notion that a self-promoting process of α-synuclein amyloid inclusion formation may lead to a progressive spread of disease in vivo. However, as pointed out in this review, there are alternative explanations and interpretations for these findings. Therefore, from a therapeutic perspective, it is critical to determine the relative importance and contribution of α-synuclein prionlike spread in disease before embarking on elaborate efforts to target this putative pathogenic mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BMS Building J-483, P.O. Box 100159, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Sacino
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BMS Building J-483, P.O. Box 100159, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA.
authors.forename: Benoit I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Giasson