title: Role of α-synuclein in neurodegeneration: implications for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: α-Syn (α-synuclein) is a small soluble acidic protein that is extensively expressed in the nervous system. Genetic, clinical and experimental studies demonstrate that α-syn is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of PD (Parkinson's disease). However, the pathogenic mechanism remains elusive. In the present chapter, we first describe the normal expression and potential physiological functions of α-syn. Then, we introduce recent research progress related to the pathogenic role of α-syn in PD, with special emphasis on how α-syn oligomers cause the preferential degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the spreading of α-syn pathology in the brain of PD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Geriatric Medical and Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Changchun Street 45, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Geriatric Medical and Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Changchun Street 45, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Piu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D021381:Protein Transport; D059748:Proteolysis; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051844:alpha-Synuclein; C118135:OXSR1 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D004298:Dopamine