title: In vitro aggregation assays for the characterization of α-synuclein prion-like properties.
abstract: Aggregation of α-synuclein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). The common feature of these diseases is a pathological deposition of protein aggregates, known as Lewy bodies (LBs) in the central nervous system. The major component of these aggregates is α-synuclein, a natively unfolded protein, which may undergo dramatic structural changes resulting in the formation of β-sheet rich assemblies. In vitro studies have shown that recombinant α-synuclein protein may polymerize into amyloidogenic fibrils resembling those found in LBs. These aggregates may be uptaken and propagated between cells in a prion-like manner. Here we present the mechanisms and kinetics of α-synuclein aggregation in vitro, as well as crucial factors affecting this process. We also describe how PD-linked α-synuclein mutations and some exogenous factors modulate in vitro aggregation. Furthermore, we present a current knowledge on the mechanisms by which extracellular aggregates may be internalized and propagated between cells, as well as the mechanisms of their toxicity.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Narkiewicz
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giachin
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Legname
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011328:Prions; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D011328:Prions; D051844:alpha-Synuclein