Sensing α‐Synuclein From the Outside via the Prion Protein: Implications for Neurodegeneration

AbstractParkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated α‐synuclein in intracellular proteinaceous inclusions. The progressive nature of synucleinopathies seems to be related to the cell‐to‐cell spreading of α‐synuclein pathology, and several possible mechanisms have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. In our recent study, we found tha t α‐synuclein oligomers interact with cellular prion protein in glutamatergic synapses. This interaction triggered a signaling cascade involving phosphorylation of Fyn kinase and activation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor, thereby leading to synaptic dysfunction. Here, we present relevant plasma membrane proteins that have been described to interact with α‐synuclein and discuss the possible pathological implications. We focus primarily on the prion protein and propose a pathological mechanism in which the interaction between α‐synuclein and prion protein leads to the formation of cofilin/actin rods, culminating in long‐term potentiation impairment and cognitive dysfunction. We posit that deciphering the mechanisms involved in sensing specific forms of extracellular α‐synuclein a nd transducing this information may prove invaluable in our quest to devise novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in PD and other synucleinopathies. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Source: Movement Disorders - November 13, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: In ês Caldeira Brás, Luísa V. Lopes, Tiago Fleming Outeiro Tags: Scientific Perspectives Source Type: research