|
1
|
Lenzi P, Lazzeri G, Ferrucci M, Scotto M, Frati A, Puglisi-Allegra S, Busceti CL, Fornai F. Is There a Place for Lewy Bodies before and beyond Alpha-Synuclein Accumulation? Provocative Issues in Need of Solid Explanations. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3929. [PMID: 38612739 PMCID: PMC11011529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) assumed a prominent role as a major component and seeding structure of Lewy bodies (LBs). This concept is driving ongoing research on the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). In line with this, alpha-syn is considered to be the guilty protein in the disease process, and it may be targeted through precision medicine to modify disease progression. Therefore, designing specific tools to block the aggregation and spreading of alpha-syn represents a major effort in the development of disease-modifying therapies in PD. The present article analyzes concrete evidence about the significance of alpha-syn within LBs. In this effort, some dogmas are challenged. This concerns the question of whether alpha-syn is more abundant compared with other proteins within LBs. Again, the occurrence of alpha-syn compared with non-protein constituents is scrutinized. Finally, the prominent role of alpha-syn in seeding LBs as the guilty structure causing PD is questioned. These revisited concepts may be helpful in the process of validating which proteins, organelles, and pathways are likely to be involved in the damage to meso-striatal dopamine neurons and other brain regions involved in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Lenzi
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.L.); (G.L.); (M.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.L.); (G.L.); (M.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.L.); (G.L.); (M.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Marco Scotto
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.L.); (G.L.); (M.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandro Frati
- IRCCS—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy or (A.F.); (S.P.-A.); (C.L.B.)
- Neurosurgery Division, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, 00135 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- IRCCS—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy or (A.F.); (S.P.-A.); (C.L.B.)
| | - Carla Letizia Busceti
- IRCCS—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy or (A.F.); (S.P.-A.); (C.L.B.)
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.L.); (G.L.); (M.F.); (M.S.)
- IRCCS—Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy or (A.F.); (S.P.-A.); (C.L.B.)
| |
Collapse
|