'Mutations in alpha-synuclein have been linked to rare, autosomal dominant forms of Parkinson''s disease. Despite its ubiquitous expression, mutant alpha-synuclein primarily leads to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. alpha-Synuclein is a presynaptic nerve terminal protein of unknown function, although several studies suggest it is important for ... More
Fine epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies specific to human alpha-synuclein.
AuthorsChoi JY, Park HJ, Seong YM, Choi EY, Min BR, Rhim H,
JournalNeurosci Lett
PubMed ID16380207
'The neuronal phosphoprotein alpha-synuclein has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson''s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases; however, the exact function of alpha-synuclein still remains illusive. Suitable antibodies (Abs) specific for the gene of interest are indispensable for studying biological and immunological properties of the target gene. Here, ... More
Aggregation of aSynuclein promotes progressive in vivo neurotoxicity in adult rat dopaminergic neurons.
AuthorsTaschenberger G, Garrido M, Tereshchenko Y, Bähr M, Zweckstetter M, Kügler S,
JournalActa Neuropathol
PubMed ID22167382
Fibrillar aSynuclein is the major constituent of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the protein deposits characteristic for Parkinson's disease (PD). Multiplications of the aSynuclein gene, as well as point mutations cause familial PD. However, the exact role of aSynuclein in neurodegeneration remains uncertain. Recent research in invertebrates has suggested that ... More
An in vitro model of Parkinson's disease: linking mitochondrial impairment to altered alpha-synuclein metabolism and oxidative damage.
AuthorsSherer TB, Betarbet R, Stout AK, Lund S, Baptista M, Panov AV, Cookson MR, Greenamyre JT
JournalJ Neurosci
PubMed ID12177198
Chronic systemic complex I inhibition caused by rotenone exposure induces features of Parkinson's disease (PD) in rats, including selective nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration and formation of ubiquitin- and alpha-synuclein-positive inclusions (Betarbet et al., 2000). To determine underlying mechanisms of rotenone-induced cell death, we developed a chronic in vitro model based on ... More