title: Untangling the Manganese-α-Synuclein Web.
abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases affect a significant portion of the aging population. Several lines of evidence suggest a positive association between environmental exposures, which are common and cumulative in a lifetime, and development of neurodegenerative diseases. Environmental or occupational exposure to manganese (Mn) has been implicated in neurodegeneration due to its ability to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation. The role of the α-Syn protein vis-a-vis Mn is controversial, as it seemingly plays a duplicitous role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration. α-Syn has low affinity for Mn, however an indirect interaction cannot be ruled out. In this review we will examine the current knowledge surrounding the interaction of α-Syn and Mn in neurodegenerative process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Tanara Vieira
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Parmalee
authors.affiliation: The Mind Research Network Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Ebany J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Martinez-Finley
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aschner
keywords: Parkinson disease; alpha-synuclien; manganese; neurotoxicity; protein aggregation