1
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Yang Y, Zhang Z. α-Synuclein pathology from the body to the brain: so many seeds so close to the central soil. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1463-1472. [PMID: 38051888 PMCID: PMC10883481 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT α-Synuclein is a protein that mainly exists in the presynaptic terminals. Abnormal folding and accumulation of α-synuclein are found in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Aggregated and highly phosphorylated α-synuclein constitutes the main component of Lewy bodies in the brain, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease. For decades, much attention has been focused on the accumulation of α-synuclein in the brain parenchyma rather than considering Parkinson's disease as a systemic disease. Recent evidence demonstrates that, at least in some patients, the initial α-synuclein pathology originates in the peripheral organs and spreads to the brain. Injection of α-synuclein preformed fibrils into the gastrointestinal tract triggers the gut-to-brain propagation of α-synuclein pathology. However, whether α-synuclein pathology can occur spontaneously in peripheral organs independent of exogenous α-synuclein preformed fibrils or pathological α-synuclein leakage from the central nervous system remains under investigation. In this review, we aimed to summarize the role of peripheral α-synuclein pathology in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We also discuss the pathways by which α-synuclein pathology spreads from the body to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunying Yang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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2
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Dear AJ, Teng X, Ball SR, Lewin J, Horne RI, Clow D, Stevenson A, Harper N, Yahya K, Yang X, Brewerton SC, Thomson J, Michaels TCT, Linse S, Knowles TPJ, Habchi J, Meisl G. Molecular mechanism of α-synuclein aggregation on lipid membranes revealed. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7229-7242. [PMID: 38756798 PMCID: PMC11095391 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05661a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The central hallmark of Parkinson's disease pathology is the aggregation of the α-synuclein protein, which, in its healthy form, is associated with lipid membranes. Purified monomeric α-synuclein is relatively stable in vitro, but its aggregation can be triggered by the presence of lipid vesicles. Despite this central importance of lipids in the context of α-synuclein aggregation, their detailed mechanistic role in this process has not been established to date. Here, we use chemical kinetics to develop a mechanistic model that is able to globally describe the aggregation behaviour of α-synuclein in the presence of DMPS lipid vesicles, across a range of lipid and protein concentrations. Through the application of our kinetic model to experimental data, we find that the reaction is a co-aggregation process involving both protein and lipids and that lipids promote aggregation as much by enabling fibril elongation as by enabling their initial formation. Moreover, we find that the primary nucleation of lipid-protein co-aggregates takes place not on the surface of lipid vesicles in bulk solution but at the air-water and/or plate interfaces, where lipids and proteins are likely adsorbed. Our model forms the basis for mechanistic insights, also in other lipid-protein co-aggregation systems, which will be crucial in the rational design of drugs that inhibit aggregate formation and act at the key points in the α-synuclein aggregation cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Dear
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Xiangyu Teng
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Sarah R Ball
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Joshua Lewin
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Robert I Horne
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Daniel Clow
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Alisdair Stevenson
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich Otto Stern Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
- Bringing Materials to Life Initiative, ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Natasha Harper
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Kim Yahya
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Xiaoting Yang
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Suzanne C Brewerton
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - John Thomson
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Thomas C T Michaels
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich Otto Stern Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
- Bringing Materials to Life Initiative, ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Sara Linse
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University Lund Sweden
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Johnny Habchi
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Georg Meisl
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd, Chemistry of Health Lensfield Road Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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3
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Bae EJ, Lee SJ. CRISPR-based identification of N-terminal acetylation in synucleinopathies. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:324-325. [PMID: 38553385 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
A recent study by Kumar et al. identified several biological pathways that regulate the levels of endogenous alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein). They specifically highlighted the N-terminal acetylation (NTA) pathway as an important factor in maintaining the stability of endogenous α-synuclein, suggesting targeting the NTA pathway as a potential therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Bae
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Jae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea; Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Convergence Research Center for Dementia, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Neuramedy Co. Ltd, Seoul, South Korea.
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4
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Martinez Pomier K, Ahmed R, Huang J, Melacini G. Inhibition of toxic metal-alpha synuclein interactions by human serum albumin. Chem Sci 2024; 15:3502-3515. [PMID: 38455030 PMCID: PMC10915811 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06285f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, not only serves as a crucial carrier of various exogenous and endogenous ligands but also modulates the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins, including alpha synuclein (αSyn), which is associated with Parkinson's disease and other α-synucleinopathies. HSA decreases αSyn toxicity through the direct binding to monomeric and oligomeric αSyn species. However, it is possible that HSA also sequesters metal ions that otherwise promote aggregation. Cu(ii) ions, for example, enhance αSyn fibrillization in vitro, while also leading to neurotoxicity by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it is currently unclear if and how HSA affects Cu(ii)-binding to αSyn. Using an integrated set of NMR experiments, we show that HSA is able to chelate Cu(ii) ions from αSyn more efficiently than standard chelators such as EDTA, revealing an unexpected cooperativity between the HSA metal-binding sites. Notably, fatty acid binding to HSA perturbs this cooperativity, thus interfering with the sequestration of Cu(ii) ions from αSyn. We also observed that glycation of HSA diminished Cu(ii)-binding affinity, while largely preserving the degree of cooperativity between the HSA metal-binding sites. Additionally, our results show that Cu(ii)-binding to HSA stabilizes the interactions of HSA with αSyn primarily at two different regions, i.e. the N-terminus, Tyr 39 and the majority of the C-terminus. Our study not only unveils the effect of fatty acid binding and age-related posttranslational modifications, such as glycation, on the neuroprotective mechanisms of HSA, but also highlights the potential of αSyn as a viable NMR-based sensor to investigate HSA-metal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rashik Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University ON L8S 4M1 Canada
| | - Jinfeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University ON L8S 4M1 Canada
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University ON L8S 4M1 Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University Hamilton ON L8S 4M1 Canada
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5
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Monteiro Neto JR, Lima VDA, Follmer C. Fibrillation of α-synuclein triggered by bacterial endotoxin and lipid vesicles is modulated by N-terminal acetylation and familial Parkinson's disease mutations. FEBS J 2024; 291:1151-1167. [PMID: 38069536 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that --Parkinson's disease (PD) may be initiated in the gastrointestinal tract, before manifesting in the central nervous system. In this respect, it was demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria, accelerates the in vitro formation of α-synuclein (aSyn) fibrils, whose intracellular deposits is a histological hallmark of the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Herein, N-terminal acetylation and missense mutations of aSyn (A30P, A53T, E46K, H50Q and G51D) linked to rare, early-onset forms of familial PD were investigated regarding their effect on aSyn aggregation stimulated by either LPS or small unilamellar lipid vesicles (SUVs). Our findings indicated that LPS as well as SUVs induce the fibrillation of N-terminally acetylated wild-type aSyn (Ac-aSyn-WT) more remarkably than the non-acetylated protein, while the LPS-free protein alone did not undergo fibrillation under our assay conditions. In addition, with the exception of A30P, PD mutations increased the fibrillation of Ac-aSyn in the presence of LPS compared with Ac-aSyn-WT. The most pronounced effect of LPS was noticed for A53T, as observed when either Thioflavin-T or JC-1 were used as fluorescent probes for fibrils. Overall, our results suggest for the first time the existence of a synergy between LPS and PD mutations/N-terminal acetylation toward aSyn fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Raphael Monteiro Neto
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanderlei de Araújo Lima
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristian Follmer
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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6
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Santhosh Kumar S, Naseri NN, Pather SR, Hallacli E, Ndayisaba A, Buenaventura C, Acosta K, Roof J, Fazelinia H, Spruce LA, Luk K, Khurana V, Rhoades E, Shalem O. Sequential CRISPR screening reveals partial NatB inhibition as a strategy to mitigate alpha-synuclein levels in human neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4767. [PMID: 38335281 PMCID: PMC10857481 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein levels correlate with the risk and severity of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative diseases. Lowering αSyn is being actively investigated as a therapeutic modality. Here, we systematically map the regulatory network that controls endogenous αSyn using sequential CRISPR-knockout and -interference screens in an αSyn gene (SNCA)-tagged cell line and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iNeurons). We uncover αSyn modifiers at multiple regulatory layers, with amino-terminal acetyltransferase B (NatB) enzymes being the most potent endogenous αSyn modifiers in both cell lines. Amino-terminal acetylation protects the cytosolic αSyn from rapid degradation by the proteasome in a Ube2w-dependent manner. Moreover, we show that pharmacological inhibition of methionyl-aminopeptidase 2, a regulator of NatB complex formation, attenuates endogenous αSyn in iNeurons carrying SNCA triplication. Together, our study reveals several gene networks that control endogenous αSyn, identifies mechanisms mediating the degradation of nonacetylated αSyn, and illustrates potential therapeutic pathways for decreasing αSyn levels in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Santhosh Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nima N. Naseri
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarshan R. Pather
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erinc Hallacli
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alain Ndayisaba
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris Buenaventura
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karen Acosta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Roof
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hossein Fazelinia
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynn A. Spruce
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vikram Khurana
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ophir Shalem
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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7
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Ma J, Yan L, Yang J, He Y, Wu L. Effect of Modification Strategies on the Biological Activity of Peptides/Proteins. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300481. [PMID: 38009768 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300481] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Covalent attachment of biologically active peptides/proteins with functional moieties is an effective strategy to control their biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, enzymatic digestion, and toxicity. This review focuses on the characteristics of different modification strategies and their effects on the biological activity of peptides/proteins and illustrates their relevant applications and potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ma
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Yan
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jingkui Yang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yujian He
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li Wu
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
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8
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Saramowicz K, Siwecka N, Galita G, Kucharska-Lusina A, Rozpędek-Kamińska W, Majsterek I. Alpha-Synuclein Contribution to Neuronal and Glial Damage in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:360. [PMID: 38203531 PMCID: PMC10778752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010360] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the widespread accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein aggregates. αSyn aggregation disrupts critical cellular processes, including synaptic function, mitochondrial integrity, and proteostasis, which culminate in neuronal cell death. Importantly, αSyn pathology extends beyond neurons-it also encompasses spreading throughout the neuronal environment and internalization by microglia and astrocytes. Once internalized, glia can act as neuroprotective scavengers, which limit the spread of αSyn. However, they can also become reactive, thereby contributing to neuroinflammation and the progression of PD. Recent advances in αSyn research have enabled the molecular diagnosis of PD and accelerated the development of targeted therapies. Nevertheless, despite more than two decades of research, the cellular function, aggregation mechanisms, and induction of cellular damage by αSyn remain incompletely understood. Unraveling the interplay between αSyn, neurons, and glia may provide insights into disease initiation and progression, which may bring us closer to exploring new effective therapeutic strategies. Herein, we provide an overview of recent studies emphasizing the multifaceted nature of αSyn and its impact on both neuron and glial cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (N.S.); (G.G.); (A.K.-L.); (W.R.-K.)
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9
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Lomeli-Lepe AK, Castañeda-Cabral JL, López-Pérez SJ. Synucleinopathies: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:427-442. [PMID: 37526884 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01154-z] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
α-Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by alterations in α-synuclein (α-syn), a protein associated with membrane phospholipids, whose precise function in normal cells is still unknown. These kinds of diseases are caused by multiple factors, but the regulation of the α-syn gene is believed to play a central role in the pathology of these disorders; therefore, the α-syn gene is one of the most studied genes. α-Synucleinopathies are complex disorders that derive from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Here, we offer an update on the landscape of the epigenetic regulation of α-syn gene expression that has been linked with α-synucleinopathies. We also delve into the reciprocal influence between epigenetic modifications and other factors related to these disorders, such as posttranslational modifications, microbiota participation, interactions with lipids, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, to promote α-syn aggregation by acting on the transcription and/or translation of the α-syn gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Karen Lomeli-Lepe
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, México
| | - Jose Luis Castañeda-Cabral
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, México
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10
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Outeiro TF, Bellucci A. Changes in α-Synuclein Posttranslational Modifications in an AAV-Based Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13435. [PMID: 37686236 PMCID: PMC10488235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and accumulation of Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN), inclusions mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. Studies linking the occurrence of mutations and multiplications of the α-Syn gene (SNCA) to the onset of PD support that α-Syn deposition may play a causal role in the disease, in line with the hypothesis that disease progression may correlate with the spreading of LB pathology in the brain. Interestingly, LB accumulate posttranslationally modified forms of α-Syn, suggesting that α-Syn posttranslational modifications impinge on α-Syn aggregation and/or toxicity. Here, we aimed at investigating changes in α-Syn phosphorylation, nitration and acetylation in mice subjected to nigral stereotaxic injections of adeno-associated viral vectors inducing overexpression of human α-Syn (AAV-hα-Syn), that model genetic PD with SNCA multiplications. We detected a mild increase of serine (Ser) 129 phosphorylated α-Syn in the substantia nigra (SN) of AAV-hα-Syn-injected mice in spite of the previously described marked accumulation of this PTM in the striatum. Following AAV-hα-Syn injection, tyrosine (Tyr) 125/136 nitrated α-Syn accumulation in the absence of general 3-nitrotirosine (3NT) or nitrated-Tyr39 α-Syn changes and augmented protein acetylation abundantly overlapping with α-Syn immunopositivity were also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Brembati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
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11
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Abstract
Most proteins receive an acetyl group at the N terminus while in their nascency as the result of modification by co-translationally acting N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). The N-terminal acetyl group can influence several aspects of protein functionality. From studies of NAT-lacking cells, it is evident that several cellular processes are affected by this modification. More recently, an increasing number of genetic cases have demonstrated that N-terminal acetylation has crucial roles in human physiology and pathology. In this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we provide an overview of the human NAT enzymes and their properties, substrate coverage, cellular roles and connections to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Aksnes
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina McTiernan
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Thomas Arnesen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5009 Bergen, Norway
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12
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Ohgita T, Kono H, Morita I, Oyama H, Shimanouchi T, Kobayashi N, Saito H. Intramolecular interaction kinetically regulates fibril formation by human and mouse α-synuclein. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10885. [PMID: 37407638 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of α-synuclein (αS) fibril formation is a potent therapeutic strategy for αS-related neurodegenerative disorders. αS, an intrinsically disordered 140-residue intraneural protein, comprises positively charged N-terminal, hydrophobic non-amyloid β component (NAC), and negatively charged C-terminal regions. Although mouse and human αS share 95% sequence identity, mouse αS forms amyloid fibrils faster than human αS. To evaluate the kinetic regulation of αS fibrillation, we examined the effects of mismatched residues in human and mouse αS on fibril formation and intramolecular interactions. Thioflavin T fluorescence assay using domain-swapped or C-terminal-truncated αS variants revealed that mouse αS exhibited higher nucleation and fibril elongation than human αS. In mouse αS, S87N substitution in the NAC region rather than A53T substitution is dominant for enhanced fibril formation. Fӧrester resonance energy transfer analysis demonstrated that the intramolecular interaction of the C-terminal region with the N-terminal and NAC regions observed in human αS is perturbed in mouse αS. In mouse αS, S87N substitution is responsible for the perturbed interaction. These results indicate that the interaction of the C-terminal region with the N-terminal and NAC regions suppresses αS fibril formation and that the human-to-mouse S87N substitution in the NAC region accelerates αS fibril formation by perturbing intramolecular interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ohgita
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Misasagi-Nakauchi-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8414, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Kono
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Misasagi-Nakauchi-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8414, Japan
| | - Izumi Morita
- Department of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Oyama
- Department of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Toshinori Shimanouchi
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kobayashi
- Department of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kitamachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, 658-8558, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Saito
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Misasagi-Nakauchi-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8414, Japan
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Bellucci A. Alpha synuclein post translational modifications: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1197853. [PMID: 37305556 PMCID: PMC10248004 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1197853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms. The neuropathological alterations characterizing the brain of patients with PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB), intraneuronal inclusions that are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. The accumulation of α-Syn in insoluble aggregates is a main neuropathological feature in PD and in other neurodegenerative diseases, including LB dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), which are therefore defined as synucleinopathies. Compelling evidence supports that α-Syn post translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, nitration, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, glycation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination and C-terminal cleavage, play important roles in the modulation α-Syn aggregation, solubility, turnover and membrane binding. In particular, PTMs can impact on α-Syn conformational state, thus supporting that their modulation can in turn affect α-Syn aggregation and its ability to seed further soluble α-Syn fibrillation. This review focuses on the importance of α-Syn PTMs in PD pathophysiology but also aims at highlighting their general relevance as possible biomarkers and, more importantly, as innovative therapeutic targets for synucleinopathies. In addition, we call attention to the multiple challenges that we still need to face to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches modulating α-Syn PTMs.
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Lundekvam M, Arnesen T, McTiernan N. Using cell lysates to assess N-terminal acetyltransferase activity and impairment. Methods Enzymol 2023; 686:29-43. [PMID: 37532404 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of eukaryotic proteins are subjected to N-terminal (Nt) acetylation. This reaction is catalyzed by a group of N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs), which co- or post-translationally transfer an acetyl group from Acetyl coenzyme A to the protein N-terminus. Nt-acetylation plays an important role in many cellular processes, but the functional consequences of this widespread protein modification are still undefined for most proteins. Several in vitro acetylation assays have been developed to study the catalytic activity and substrate specificity of NATs or other acetyltransferases. These assays are valuable tools that can be used to define substrate specificities of yet uncharacterized NAT candidates, assess catalytic impairment of pathogenic NAT variants, and determine the potency of chemical inhibitors. The enzyme input in acetylation assays is typically acetyltransferases that have been recombinantly expressed and purified or immunoprecipitated proteins. In this chapter, we highlight how cell lysates can also be used to assess NAT catalytic activity and impairment when used as input in a previously described isotope-based in vitro Nt-acetylation assay. This is a fast and highly sensitive method that utilizes isotope labeled 14C-Ac-CoA and scintillation to detect the formation of Nt-acetylated peptide products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lundekvam
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Thomas Arnesen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Nina McTiernan
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Bell R, Vendruscolo M, Kumita JR. Probing the effects of N-terminal acetylation on α-synuclein structure, aggregation and cytotoxicity. Methods Enzymol 2023; 686:45-65. [PMID: 37532408 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.09.003] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is associated with the aberrant aggregation of α-synuclein within brain cells. Although the causes of this process are still unclear, post-translational modifications of α-synuclein are likely to play a modulatory role. Since α-synuclein is constitutively N-terminally acetylated, we previously investigated how this protein modification affects the aggregation behavior of the protein using a variety of methods in vitro and in cell systems. This chapter describes the production of N-terminally acetylated (NTA) α-synuclein, the preparation of different seeds of NTA α-synuclein for aggregation assays and the experimental methods for the kinetic analysis of the aggregation process of NTA α-synuclein. We also detail our protocol to evaluate the effects of preformed protofibrils of NTA α-synuclein in cell-based assays. These methods can be applied to study other post-translational modifications of α-synuclein, or adapted for the study of N-acetylation of other aggregation-prone proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Bell
- Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Yusef Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Galzitskaya OV, Grishin SY, Glyakina AV, Dovidchenko NV, Konstantinova AV, Kravchenko SV, Surin AK. The Strategies of Development of New Non-Toxic Inhibitors of Amyloid Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043781. [PMID: 36835194 PMCID: PMC9964835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, due to the aging of the population and the development of diagnostic medicine, the number of identified diseases associated with the accumulation of amyloid proteins has increased. Some of these proteins are known to cause a number of degenerative diseases in humans, such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease (PD), and insulin and its analogues in insulin-derived amyloidosis. In this regard, it is important to develop strategies for the search and development of effective inhibitors of amyloid formation. Many studies have been carried out aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of amyloid aggregation of proteins and peptides. This review focuses on three amyloidogenic peptides and proteins-Aβ, α-synuclein, and insulin-for which we will consider amyloid fibril formation mechanisms and analyze existing and prospective strategies for the development of effective and non-toxic inhibitors of amyloid formation. The development of non-toxic inhibitors of amyloid will allow them to be used more effectively for the treatment of diseases associated with amyloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana V. Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Sergei Y. Grishin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia
| | - Anna V. Glyakina
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology RAS, The Branch of Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Nikita V. Dovidchenko
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Anastasiia V. Konstantinova
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Kravchenko
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia
| | - Alexey K. Surin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- The Branch of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia
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17
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Surguchov A. α-Synuclein and Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13010150. [PMID: 36672131 PMCID: PMC9857298 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases with common pathological lesions associated with the excessive accumulation and abnormal intracellular deposition of toxic species of α-synuclein. The shared clinical features are chronic progressive decline of motor, cognitive, and behavioral functions. These disorders include Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy body, and multiple system atrophy. Vigorous research in the mechanisms of pathology of these illnesses is currently under way to find disease-modifying treatment and molecular markers for early diagnosis. α-Synuclein is a prone-to-aggregate, small amyloidogenic protein with multiple roles in synaptic vesicle trafficking, neurotransmitter release, and intracellular signaling events. Its expression is controlled by several mechanisms, one of which is epigenetic regulation. When transmitted to the nucleus, α-synuclein binds to DNA and histones and participates in epigenetic regulatory functions controlling specific gene transcription. Here, we discuss the various aspects of α-synuclein involvement in epigenetic regulation in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Surguchov
- Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Bell R, Castellana-Cruz M, Nene A, Thrush RJ, Xu CK, Kumita JR, Vendruscolo M. Effects of N-terminal Acetylation on the Aggregation of Disease-related α-synuclein Variants. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167825. [PMID: 36099961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the SNCA gene, which encodes the protein α-synuclein, have been linked with early onset Parkinson's disease. The exact nature of this association, however, is still poorly understood. To investigate this problem, we started from the observation that α-synuclein is constitutively N-terminally acetylated, a post-translational modification that alters the charge and structure of α-synuclein molecules and affects their interaction with lipid membranes, as well as their aggregation process. We thus studied five N-terminal acetylated familial variants (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D and A53T) of α-synuclein through a wide range of biophysical assays to probe the microscopic steps in their aggregation process and the structures of the resulting aggregates. Our results reveal a great complexity in the combined effects of the disease-related mutations with N-terminal acetylation on the aggregation of α-synuclein, which underscores the great sensitivity to even relatively small perturbations of the behaviour of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Bell
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Marta Castellana-Cruz
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aishwarya Nene
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Rebecca J Thrush
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Catherine K Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK.
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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Synucleins: New Data on Misfolding, Aggregation and Role in Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123241. [PMID: 36551997 PMCID: PMC9775291 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synucleins are a family of natively unfolded (or intrinsically unstructured) proteins consisting of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein involved in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The current number of publications on synucleins has exceeded 16.000. They remain the subject of constant interest for over 35 years. Two reasons explain this unchanging attention: synuclein's association with several severe human diseases and the lack of understanding of the functional roles under normal physiological conditions. We analyzed recent publications to look at the main trends and developments in synuclein research and discuss possible future directions. Traditional areas of peak research interest which still remain high among last year's publications are comparative studies of structural features as well as functional research on of three members of the synuclein family. Another popular research topic in the area is a mechanism of α-synuclein accumulation, aggregation, and fibrillation. Exciting fast-growing area of recent research is α-synuclein and epigenetics. We do not present here a broad and comprehensive review of all directions of studies but summarize only the most significant recent findings relevant to these topics and outline potential future directions.
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