α-synuclein oligomers and clinical implications for parkinson disease

Lorraine V. Kalia, Suneil K. Kalia, Pamela J. McLean, Andres M. Lozano, Anthony E. Lang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

199 Scopus citations

Abstract

Protein aggregation within the central nervous system has been recognized as a defining feature of neurodegenerative diseases since the early 20th century. Since that time, there has been a growing list of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson disease, which are characterized by inclusions of specific pathogenic proteins. This has led to the long-held dogma that these characteristic protein inclusions, which are composed of large insoluble fibrillar protein aggregates and visible by light microscopy, are responsible for cell death in these diseases. However, the correlation between protein inclusion formation and cytotoxicity is inconsistent, suggesting that another form of the pathogenic proteins may be contributing to neurodegeneration. There is emerging evidence implicating soluble oligomers, smaller protein aggregates not detectable by conventional microscopy, as potential culprits in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The protein α-synuclein is well recognized to contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease and is the major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. However, α-synuclein also forms oligomeric species, with certain conformations being toxic to cells. The mechanisms by which these α-synuclein oligomers cause cell death are being actively investigated, as they may provide new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson disease and related disorders. Here we review the possible role of α-synuclein oligomers in cell death in Parkinson disease and discuss the potential clinical implications. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:155-169

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)155-169
Number of pages15
JournalAnnals of neurology
Volume73
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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