alpha-Synuclein interacts with phospholipase D isozymes and inhibits pervanadate-induced phospholipase D activation in human embryonic kidney-293 cells

[Role of genetics in the etiology of synucleinopathies]

The protein family known as synucleins is composed of α-, β- and γ-synuclein. The most widely studied is the α-synuclein protein due to its participation in essential processes of the central nervous system. Neurotoxicity of this protein is related to the presence of multiplications (duplications and triplications) and point mutations in the gene sequence of the α-synuclein gene (SNCA), differential expression of its isoforms and variations in post-transductional modifications. Neurotoxicity is also related to cytoplasmic inclusions known as Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), which are also present in α-synucleinopathies. In general, the β-synuclein protein, codified by the SNCB gene, acts as a regulator of processes triggered by α-synuclein and its function is altered by variations in the gene sequence, while γ-synuclein, codified by the SNCG gene, seems to play a major role in certain tumoral processes.

Expression of mutant alpha-synuclein modulates microglial phenotype in vitro

Background

Increased reactive microglia are a histological characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD) brains, positively correlating with levels of deposited α-synuclein protein. This suggests that microglial-mediated inflammatory events may contribute to disease pathophysiology. Mutations in the gene coding for α-synuclein lead to a familial form of PD. Based upon our prior findings that α-synuclein expression regulates microglial phenotype we hypothesized that expression of mutant forms of the protein may contribute to the reactive microgliosis characteristic of PD brains.

Methods

To quantify the effects of wild type and mutant α-synuclein over-expression on microglial phenotype a murine microglial cell line, BV2, was transiently transfected to express human wild type (WT), and mutant α-synuclein (A30P and A53T) proteins. Transfected cells were used to assess changes in microglia phenotype via Western blot analysis, ELISA, phagocytosis, and neurotoxicity assays.

Results

As expected, over-expression of α-synuclein induced a reactive phenotype in the transfected cells. Expression of α-synuclein increased protein levels of cycloxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Transfected cells demonstrated increased secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as increased nitric oxide production. Transfected cells also had impaired phagocytic ability correlating with decreased protein levels of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1). In spite of the increased cytokine secretion profile, the transfected cells did not exhibit increased neurotoxic ability above control non-transfected BV2 cells in neuron-microglia co-cultures.

Conclusions

These data demonstrated that over-expression of α-synuclein drives microglial cells into a form of reactive phenotype characterized by elevated levels of arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes, cytokine secretion, and reactive nitrogen species secretion all superimposed upon impaired phagocytic potential.

Time-resolved FRET detection of subtle temperature-induced conformational biases in ensembles of α-synuclein molecules

The α-synuclein (αS) molecule, a polypeptide of 140 residues, is an intrinsically disordered protein that is involved in the onset of Parkinson's disease. We applied time-resolved excitation energy transfer measurements in search of specific deviations from the disordered state in segments of the αS backbone that might be involved in the initiation of aggregation. Since at higher temperatures, the αS molecule undergoes accelerated aggregation, we studied the temperature dependence of the distributions of intramolecular segmental end-to-end distances and their fast fluctuations in eight labeled chain segments of the αS molecule. Over the temperature range of 5-40 °C, no temperature-induced unfolding or folding was detected at the N-terminal domain (residues 1-66) of the αS molecule. The intramolecular diffusion coefficient of the segments' ends relative to each other increased monotonously with temperature. A common very high upper limiting value of ∼25 A²/ns was reached at 40 °C, another indication of a fully disordered state. Three exceptions were two segments with reduced values of the diffusion coefficients (the shortest segment where the excluded volume effect is dominant and the segment labeled in the NAC domain) and a nonlinear cooperative transition in the N-terminal segment. These specific subtle deviations from the common pattern of temperature dependence reflect specific structural constraints that could be critical in controlling the stability of the soluble monomer, or for its aggregation. Such very weak effects might be dominant in determination of the fate of ensembles of disordered polypeptides either to folding or to misfolding.

α-Synuclein-induced tubule formation in lipid bilayers

α-Synuclein is a presynaptic protein that binds to phospholipid membranes and is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this paper, we describe the effects of adding wild-type α-synuclein (WT) and three familial PD mutants (A53T, A30P, and E46K) to membranes containing 15-35 mol % anionic lipid. Tubules were observed to form in the membranes to an extent that depended on the α-synuclein variant, the anionic lipid content, and the protein concentration. For all four variants, tubule formation decreased with increasing anionic lipid content. Tubules were more readily observed with A30P and E46K than with WT or A53T. The results are consistent with a model wherein the helical content of α-synuclein increases with increasing anionic lipid content, and α-synuclein conformers with low helical content have a high propensity to induce tubule formation. This work, combined with previous work from our laboratory (Pandey et al. Biophys. J. 2009, 96, 540), shows that WT adsorption of the protein has deleterious effects on the membrane when the anionic lipid concentration is less than 30 mol % (tubule formation) or greater than 40 mol % (reorganization of the bilayer, clustering of protein).

Lack of alpha-synuclein modulates microglial phenotype in vitro

Alpha (α)-synuclein neuronal effects are continually being defined although its role in regulating glial phenotypes remains unclear. An ability to regulate microglial activation was investigated using primary cultures from wild type and α-synuclein deficient mice (Snca-/-). Snca-/- microglia demonstrated increased secretion of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), impaired phagocytic ability, elevated prostaglandin levels, and increased protein levels of key enzymes in lipid-mediated signaling events, cytosolic phospholipase (cPLA(2)), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and phospholipase D2 (PLD2) when compared to wild type cells. Increased cytokine secretion and cPLA(2) and Cox-2 levels in Snca-/- microglia were partially attenuated by inhibiting PLD-dependent signaling with n-butanol treatment.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction: The Road to Alpha-Synuclein Oligomerization in PD

While the etiology of Parkinson's disease remains largely elusive, there is accumulating evidence suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs prior to the onset of symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Mitochondria are remarkably primed to play a vital role in neuronal cell survival since they are key regulators of energy metabolism (as ATP producers), of intracellular calcium homeostasis, of NAD(+)/NADH ratio, and of endogenous reactive oxygen species production and programmed cell death. In this paper, we focus on mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated alpha-synuclein aggregation. We highlight some of the findings that provide proof of evidence for a mitochondrial metabolism control in Parkinson's disease, namely, mitochondrial regulation of microtubule-dependent cellular traffic and autophagic lysosomal pathway. The knowledge that microtubule alterations may lead to autophagic deficiency and may compromise the cellular degradation mechanisms that culminate in the progressive accumulation of aberrant protein aggregates shields new insights to the way we address Parkinson's disease. In line with this knowledge, an innovative window for new therapeutic strategies aimed to restore microtubule network may be unlocked.

The role of α-synuclein in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn), a synaptic protein richly expressed in the central nervous system, has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies, which are collectively known as synucleinopathies. By contrast to the clear evidence for the involvement of α-syn in synucleinopathies, its physiological functions remain elusive, which becomes an impediment for revelation of its pathological mechanism. Since α-syn is richly expressed in presynaptic terminals and associated with synaptic vesicles, a large number of studies have been focused on revealing the potential functions of this protein in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. In this review article, we summarized recent advances for the role of α-syn in synaptic vesicle recycling, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, and synaptic plasticity. We discussed the possible relevance between the loss of normal α-syn functions in disease conditions and the onset of some neurodegenerative diseases.

Segmental conformational disorder and dynamics in the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein and its chain length dependence

Conformational ensembles of fully disordered natural polypeptides represent the starting point of protein refolding initiated by transfer to folding conditions. Thus, understanding the transient properties and dimensions of such peptides under folding conditions is a necessary step in the understanding of their subsequent folding behavior. Such ensembles can also undergo alternative folding and form amyloid structures, which are involved in many neurological degenerative diseases. Here, we performed a structural study of this initial state using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of a series of eight partially overlapping double-labeled chain segments of the N-terminal and NAC domains of the α-synuclein molecule. The distributions of end-to-end distance and segmental intramolecular diffusion coefficients were simultaneously determined for eight labeled chain segments. We used the coefficient of variation, C(v), as a measure of the conformational heterogeneity (i.e., structural disorder). With the exception of two segments, the C(v)s were characteristic of a fully disordered state of the chain. Subtle deviations from this behavior at the segment labeled in the NAC domain and the segment at the N termini reflected subtle conformational bias that might be related to the initiation of transition to amyloid aggregates. The chain length dependence of the mean segmental end-to-end distance followed a power law as predicted by Flory, but the dependence was steeper than previously predicted, probably due to the contribution of the excluded volume effect, which is more dominant for shorter-chain segments. The observed intramolecular diffusion coefficients (<10 to ∼25 Ǻ(2)/ns) are only an order of magnitude lower than the common diffusion coefficients of low molecular weight probes. This diffusion coefficient increased with chain length, probably due to the cumulative contributions of minor bond rotations along the chain. These results gave us a reference both for characteristics of a natural unfolded polypeptide at the moment of initiation of folding and for detection of possible initiation sites of the amyloid transition.

α-Synuclein expression in rat substantia nigra suppresses phospholipase D2 toxicity and nigral neurodegeneration

We present genetic evidence that an in vivo role of α-synuclein (α-syn) is to inhibit phospholipase D2 (PLD2), an enzyme that is believed to participate in vesicle trafficking, membrane signaling, and both endo- and exocytosis. Overexpression of PLD2 in rat substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) caused severe neurodegeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons, loss of striatal DA, and an associated ipsilateral amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry. Coexpression of human wild type α-syn suppressed PLD2 neurodegeneration, DA loss, and amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry. However, an α-syn mutant defective for inhibition of PLD2 in vitro also failed to inhibit PLD toxicity in vivo. Further, reduction of PLD2 activity in SNc, either by siRNA knockdown of PLD2 or overexpression of α-syn, both produced an unusual contralateral amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry, opposite to that seen with overexpression of PLD2, suggesting that PLD2 and α-syn were both involved in DA release or reuptake. Finally, α-syn coimmunoprecipitated with PLD2 from extracts prepared from striatal tissues. Taken together, our data demonstrate that α-syn is an inhibitor of PLD2 in vivo, and confirm earlier reports that α-syn inhibits PLD2 in vitro. Our data also demonstrate that it is possible to use viral-mediated gene transfer to study gene interactions in vivo.

Serine 129 phosphorylation reduces the ability of alpha-synuclein to regulate tyrosine hydroxylase and protein phosphatase 2A in vitro and in vivo

Alpha-synuclein (a-Syn), a protein implicated in Parkinson disease, contributes significantly to dopamine metabolism. a-Syn binding inhibits the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Phosphorylation of TH stimulates its activity, an effect that is reversed by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In cells, a-Syn overexpression activates PP2A. Here we demonstrate that a-Syn significantly inhibited TH activity in vitro and in vivo and that phosphorylation of a-Syn serine 129 (Ser-129) modulated this effect. In MN9D cells, a-Syn overexpression reduced TH serine 19 phosphorylation (Ser(P)-19). In dopaminergic tissues from mice overexpressing human a-Syn in catecholamine neurons only, TH-Ser-19 and TH-Ser-40 phosphorylation and activity were also reduced, whereas PP2A was more active. Cerebellum, which lacks excess a-Syn, had PP2A activity identical to controls. Conversely, a-Syn knock-out mice had elevated TH-Ser-19 phosphorylation and activity and less active PP2A in dopaminergic tissues. Using an a-Syn Ser-129 dephosphorylation mimic, with serine mutated to alanine, TH was more inhibited, whereas PP2A was more active in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of a-Syn Ser-129 by Polo-like-kinase 2 in vitro reduced the ability of a-Syn to inhibit TH or activate PP2A, identifying a novel regulatory role for Ser-129 on a-Syn. These findings extend our understanding of normal a-Syn biology and have implications for the dopamine dysfunction of Parkinson disease.

Regulation of Weibel-Palade body exocytosis by alpha-synuclein in endothelial cells

alpha-Synuclein is a small presynaptic protein implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. Nevertheless, its physiological roles and mechanisms remain incompletely understood. alpha-Synuclein is not only expressed in neurons but also in the vascular endothelium, which contains intracellular granules called Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) that contain a number of chemokines, adhesive molecules, and inflammatory cytokines. This study explored whether the exocytosis of WPB is regulated by alpha-synuclein. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-, thrombin-, or forskolin-induced von Willebrand factor release or translocation of P-selectin from endothelial cells were inhibited by alpha- and beta-synuclein but not gamma-synuclein. Three point mutants (A30P, A53T, and E46K) found in familial Parkinson disease also inhibited WPB exocytosis similar to that of wild-type alpha-synuclein. Furthermore, the negative regulation of WPB exocytosis required the N terminus or the nonamyloid beta-component of Alzheimer disease amyloid region of alpha-synuclein, but not the C-terminal acidic tail, and alpha-synuclein affected WPB exocytosis through interference with RalA activation by enhancing the interaction of RalGDS-beta-arrestin complexes. Immuno-EM analysis revealed that alpha-synuclein was localized close to WPBs. These findings imply that alpha-synuclein plays as a negative regulator in WPB exocytosis in endothelial cells.

Phospholipase D in brain function and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Although lipids are major constituents of brain, their role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is poorly understood. Much attention has been given to cholesterol, but growing evidence suggests that other lipids, such as phospholipids, might play an important role in this disorder. In this review, we will summarize the evidence linking phospholipase D, a phosphatidic acid-synthesizing enzyme, to multiple aspects of normal brain function and to Alzheimer's disease. The role of phospholipase D in signaling mechanisms downstream of beta-amyloid as well as in the trafficking and processing of amyloid precursor protein will be emphasized.

Adsorption of alpha-synuclein on lipid bilayers: modulating the structure and stability of protein assemblies

The interaction of alpha-synuclein with phospholipid membranes has been examined using supported lipid bilayers and epi-fluorescence microscopy. The membranes contained phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidic acid (PA), which mix at physiological pH. Upon protein adsorption, the lipids undergo fluid-fluid phase separation into PC-rich and PA-rich regions. The protein preferentially adsorbs to the PA-rich regions. The adsorption and subsequent aggregation of alpha-synuclein was probed by tuning several parameters: the charge on the lipids, the charge on the protein, and the screening environment. Conditions which promoted the greatest extent of adsorption resulted in structurally heterogeneous aggregates, while comparatively homogeneous aggregates were observed under conditions whereby adsorption did not occur as readily. Our observation that different alterations to the system lead to different degrees of aggregation and different aggregate structures poses a challenge for drug discovery. Namely, therapies aimed at neutralizing alpha-synuclein must target a broad range of potentially toxic, membrane-bound assemblies.

Phosphorylation at S87 is enhanced in synucleinopathies, inhibits alpha-synuclein oligomerization, and influences synuclein-membrane interactions

Increasing evidence suggests that phosphorylation may play an important role in the oligomerization, fibrillogenesis, Lewy body (LB) formation, and neurotoxicity of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) in Parkinson disease. Herein we demonstrate that alpha-syn is phosphorylated at S87 in vivo and within LBs. The levels of S87-P are increased in brains of transgenic (TG) models of synucleinopathies and human brains from Alzheimer disease (AD), LB disease (LBD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients. Using antibodies against phosphorylated alpha-syn (S129-P and S87-P), a significant amount of immunoreactivity was detected in the membrane in the LBD, MSA, and AD cases but not in normal controls. In brain homogenates from diseased human brains and TG animals, the majority of S87-P alpha-syn was detected in the membrane fractions. A battery of biophysical methods were used to dissect the effect of S87 phosphorylation on the structure, aggregation, and membrane-binding properties of monomeric alpha-syn. These studies demonstrated that phosphorylation at S87 expands the structure of alpha-syn, increases its conformational flexibility, and blocks its fibrillization in vitro. Furthermore, phosphorylation at S87, but not S129, results in significant reduction of alpha-syn binding to membranes. Together, our findings provide novel mechanistic insight into the role of phosphorylation at S87 and S129 in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies and potential roles of phosphorylation in alpha-syn normal biology.

Nervous yeast: modeling neurotoxic cell death

Neurodegeneration is characterized by the disease-specific loss of neuronal activity, culminating in the irreversible destruction of neurons. Neuronal cell death can proceed via distinct subroutines such as apoptosis and necrosis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an established model for programmed cell death, characterized by distinct cell death pathways conserved from yeast to mammals. Recently, yeast models for several major classes of neurodegeneration, namely alpha-synucleinopathies, polyglutamine disorders, beta-amyloid diseases, tauopathies, and TDP-43 proteinopathies, have been established. Heterologous expression of the human proteins implicated in these disorders has unraveled important insights in their detrimental function, pointing to ways in which yeast might advance the mechanistic dissection of cell death pathways relevant for human neurodegeneration.

The therapeutic potential of LRRK2 and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease

Current treatments for Parkinson's disease fail to modify disease progression, and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. The identification of specific targets responsible for disease will aid in the development of relevant model systems and the discovery of neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapies. Two promising protein candidates, alpha-synuclein and LRRK2, offer unique insight into the molecular basis of disease and the potential to intervene in pathogenesis. Although multiple lines of evidence support alpha-synuclein and LRRK2 as robust targets for therapy, the connection between protein function and neurodegeneration is unclear. Technology capable of mitigating alpha-synuclein and LRRK2 disease-associated function will ultimately be required before the true value of these proteins as therapeutic targets can be discerned.

Cell death pathways in Parkinson's disease: proximal triggers, distal effectors, and final steps

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Neuronal cell death in PD is still poorly understood, despite a wealth of potential pathogenic mechanisms and pathways. Defects in several cellular systems have been implicated as early triggers that start cells down the road toward neuronal death. These include abnormal protein accumulation, particularly of alpha-synuclein; altered protein degradation via multiple pathways; mitochondrial dysfunction; oxidative stress; neuroinflammation; and dysregulated kinase signaling. As dysfunction in these systems mounts, pathways that are more explicitly involved in cell death become recruited. These include JNK signaling, p53 activation, cell cycle re-activation, and signaling through bcl-2 family proteins. Eventually, neurons become overwhelmed and degenerate; however, even the mechanism of final cell death in PD is still unsettled. In this review, we will discuss cell death triggers and effectors that are relevant to PD, highlighting important unresolved issues and implications for the development of neuroprotective therapies.

Involvement of ERK1/2 signaling pathway in DJ-1-induced neuroprotection against oxidative stress

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, mounting evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. DJ-1 gene is associated with oxidative stress and mutations in DJ-1 are involved in an autosomal recessive, early onset familial form of PD. The ERK1/2 signaling pathway contributes to neuroprotection during oxidative stress. However, the correlation between DJ-1 and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway remains unknown. To test for an association of DJ-1 with the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, we transfected wild-type and L166P mutated DJ-1 into COS-7 and MN9D cells. The results showed that over-expression of WT-DJ-1 dramatically enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and its upstream kinase MEK1/2. Meanwhile, WT-DJ-1, but not L166P-DJ-1 inhibited the expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an inhibitor of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Moreover, over-expression of WT-DJ-1 increased cell viability and decreased cell sensitivity to H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. Inhibition of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway with a MEK1/2 inhibitor reversed these changes. We conclude that DJ-1 does affect the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and change the susceptibility of cells to oxidative stress.

Evidence that alpha-synuclein does not inhibit phospholipase D

Alpha-synuclein (alphaSyn) is a small cytosolic protein of unknown function, which is highly enriched in the brain. It is genetically linked to Parkinson's disease (PD) in that missense mutations or multiplication of the gene encoding alphaSyn causes early onset familial PD. Furthermore, the neuropathological hallmarks of both sporadic and familial PD, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, contain insoluble aggregates of alphaSyn. Several studies have reported evidence that alphaSyn can inhibit phospholipase D (PLD), which hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine to form phosphatidic acid and choline. Although various hypotheses exist regarding the roles of alphaSyn in health and disease, no other specific biochemical function for this protein has been reported to date. Because PLD inhibition could represent an important function of alphaSyn, we sought to extend existing reports on this interaction. Using purified proteins, we tested the ability of alphaSyn to inhibit PLD activity in cell-free assays. We also examined several cell lines and transfection conditions to assess whether alphaSyn inhibits endogenous or overexpressed PLD in cultured mammalian cells. In yeast, we extended our previous report of an interaction between alphaSyn and PLD-dependent phenotypes, for which PLD activity is absolutely necessary. Despite testing a range of experimental conditions, including those previously published, we observed no significant inhibition of PLD by alphaSyn in any of these systems. We propose that the previously reported effects of alphaSyn on PLD activity could be due to increased endoplasmic reticulum-related stress associated with alphaSyn overexpression in cells, but are not likely due to a specific and direct interaction between alphaSyn and PLD.

Structural insights on physiological functions and pathological effects of alpha-synuclein

Alpha-synuclein is an intrinsically unfolded protein that can adopt a partially helical structure when it interacts with different lipid membranes. Its pathological relevance is linked to its involvement in several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Typical of such ailments is the presence of alpha-synuclein aggregates in a beta-structure that can be soluble or precipitate. This review focuses on the structural knowledge acquired in recent years on the various conformations accessible to alpha-synuclein and to its pathologically relevant mutants. Furthermore, the role of the different variables of the chemical environments that govern the equilibria among the accessible conformations is also reviewed. The hypotheses that rationalize the relevance of the individual structural features and conformations for the physiological function of the protein or for its purported pathological role are described and compared.

Molecular mechanisms of alpha-synuclein neurodegeneration

alpha-Synuclein is an abundant highly charged protein that is normally predominantly localized around synaptic vesicles in presynaptic terminals. Although the function of this protein is still ill-defined, genetic studies have demonstrated that point mutations or genetic alteration (duplications or triplications) that increase the number of copies of the alpha-synuclein (SCNA) gene can cause Parkinson's disease or the related disorder dementia with Lewy bodies. alpha-Synuclein can aberrantly polymerize into fibrils with typical amyloid properties, and these fibrils are the major component of many types of pathological inclusions, including Lewy bodies, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. Although there is substantial evidence supporting the toxic nature of alpha-synuclein inclusions, other modes of toxicity such as oligomers have been proposed. In this review, some of the evidence for the different mechanisms of alpha-synuclein toxicity is presented and discussed.

A systematic RNAi screen reveals involvement of endocytic pathway in neuronal dysfunction in alpha-synuclein transgenic C. elegans

Mutations or multiplications in alpha-synuclein gene cause familial forms of Parkinson disease or dementia with Lewy bodies (LB), and the deposition of wild-type alpha-synuclein as LB occurs as a hallmark lesion of these disorders, collectively referred to as synucleinopathies, implicating alpha-synuclein in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathy. To identify modifier genes of alpha-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity, we conducted an RNAi screen in transgenic C. elegans (Tg worms) that overexpress human alpha-synuclein in a pan-neuronal manner. To enhance the RNAi effect in neurons, we crossed alpha-synuclein Tg worms with an RNAi-enhanced mutant eri-1 strain. We tested RNAi of 1673 genes related to nervous system or synaptic functions, and identified 10 genes that, upon knockdown, caused severe growth/motor abnormalities selectively in alpha-synuclein Tg worms. Among these were four genes (i.e. apa-2, aps-2, eps-8 and rab-7) related to the endocytic pathway, including two subunits of AP-2 complex. Consistent with the results by RNAi, crossing alpha-synuclein Tg worms with an aps-2 mutant resulted in severe growth arrest and motor dysfunction. alpha-Synuclein Tg worms displayed a decreased touch sensitivity upon RNAi of genes involved in synaptic vesicle endocytosis, and they also showed impaired neuromuscular transmission, suggesting that overexpression of alpha-synuclein caused a failure in uptake or recycling of synaptic vesicles. Furthermore, knockdown of apa-2, an AP-2 subunit, caused an accumulation of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in neuronal cell bodies, mimicking synucleinopathy. Collectively, these findings raise a novel pathogenic link between endocytic pathway and alpha-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity in synucleinopathy.

Brain prostaglandin formation is increased by alpha-synuclein gene-ablation during global ischemia

We have previously demonstrated that alpha-synuclein (Snca) gene ablation reduces brain arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) turnover rate in phospholipids through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum-localized acyl-CoA synthetase activity. Although 20:4n-6 is a precursor for prostaglandin (PG), Snca effect on PG levels is unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of Snca ablation on brain PG level at basal conditions and following 30s of global ischemia. Brain PG were extracted with methanol, purified on C(18) cartridges, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. We demonstrate, for the first time, that Snca gene ablation did not affect brain PG mass under normal physiological conditions. However, total PG mass and masses of individual PG were elevated approximately 2-fold upon global ischemia in the absence of Snca. These data are consistent with our previously observed reduction in 20:4n-6 recycling through endoplasmic reticulum-localized acyl-CoA synthetase in the absence of Snca, which may result in the increased 20:4n-6 availability for PG production in the absence of Snca during global ischemia and suggest a role for Snca in brain inflammatory response.

Mechanistic aspects of Parkinson's disease: alpha-synuclein and the biomembrane

AA key feature in Parkinson's disease is the deposition of Lewy bodies. The major protein component of these intracellular deposits is the 140-amino acid protein alpha-synuclein that is widely distributed throughout the brain. alpha-synuclein was identified in presynaptic terminals and in synaptosomal preparations. The protein is remarkable for its structural variability. It is almost unstructured as a monomer in aqueous solution. Self-aggregation leads to a variety of beta-structures, while membrane association may result in the formation of an amphipathic helical structure. The present article strives to give an overview of what is currently known on the interaction of alpha-synuclein with lipid membranes, including synthetic lipid bilayers, membraneous cell fractions, synaptic vesicles and intact cells. Manifestations of a functional relevance of the alpha-synuclein-lipid interaction will be discussed and the potential pathogenicity of oligomeric alpha-synuclein aggregates will be briefly reviewed.

Conformation-specific binding of alpha-synuclein to novel protein partners detected by phage display and NMR spectroscopy

Alpha-synuclein (AS) is an intrinsically unstructured protein in aqueous solution but is capable of forming beta-sheet-rich fibrils that accumulate as intracytoplasmic inclusions in Parkinson disease and certain other neurological disorders. However, AS binding to phospholipid membranes leads to a distinct change in protein conformation, stabilizing an extended amphipathic alpha-helical domain reminiscent of the exchangeable apolipoproteins. To better understand the significance of this conformational change, we devised a novel bacteriophage display screen to identify protein binding partners of helical AS and have identified 20 proteins with roles in diverse cellular processes related to membrane trafficking, ion channel modulation, redox metabolism, and gene regulation. To verify that the screen identifies proteins with specificity for helical AS, we further characterized one of these candidates, endosulfine alpha (ENSA), a small cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein implicated in the regulation of insulin secretion but also expressed abundantly in the brain. We used solution NMR to probe the interaction between ENSA and AS on the surface of SDS micelles. Chemical shift perturbation mapping experiments indicate that ENSA interacts specifically with residues in the N-terminal helical domain of AS in the presence of SDS but not in aqueous buffer lacking SDS. The ENSA-related protein ARPP-19 (cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 19) also displays specific interactions with helical AS. These results confirm that the helical N terminus of AS can mediate specific interactions with other proteins and suggest that membrane binding may regulate the physiological activity of AS in vivo.

Alpha-synuclein overexpression reduces gap junctional intercellular communication in dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells

Alpha-synuclein has been implicated in the pathology of certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (LBs). Overexpression of human alpha-synuclein in neuronal cells reduces cell viability, but the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is thought to be essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and growth control. In the present study, the effect of alpha-synuclein overexpression on GJIC in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was investigated. Cells overexpressing wild-type alpha-synuclein were more vulnerable to hydrogen peroxide and 6-hydroxydopamine. GJIC was decreased in cells overexpressing alpha-synuclein. In addition, alpha-synuclein binds directly to connexin-32 (Cx32). As such, the post-translational modification of Cx32 was enhanced in cells overexpressing alpha-synuclein. These findings suggest that alpha-synuclein can modulate GJIC in a dopaminergic neuronal cell line through specific binding to Cx32.

Understanding phospholipase D (PLD) using leukocytes: PLD involvement in cell adhesion and chemotaxis

Phospholipase D (PLD) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of membrane phosphatidylcholine to choline and phosphatidic acid (PA; a second messenger). PLD is expressed in nearly all types of leukocytes and has been associated with phagocytosis, degranulation, microbial killing, and leukocyte maturation. With the application of recently developed molecular tools (i.e., expression vectors, silencing RNA, and specific antibodies), the demonstration of a key role for PLD in those and related cellular actions has contributed to a better awareness of its importance. A case in point is the recent findings that RNA interference-mediated depletion of PLD results in impaired leukocyte adhesion and chemotaxis toward a gradient of chemokines, implying that PLD is necessary for leukocyte movement. We forecast that based on results such as those, leukocytes may prove to be useful tools to unravel still-unresolved mechanistic issues in the complex biology of PLD. Three such issues are considered here: first, whether the cellular actions of PLD are mediated entirely by PA (the product of its enzymatic reaction) or whether PLD by itself interacts with other protein signaling molecules; second, the current difficulty of defining a "PA consensus site" in the various intracellular protein targets of PA; and third, the resolution of specific PLD location (upstream or downstream) in a particular effector signaling cascade. There are reasons to expect that leukocytes and their leukemic cell line counterparts will continue yielding invaluable information to cell biologists to resolve standing molecular and functional issues concerning PLD.

Parkinson's disease: genetics and beyond

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized clinically by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability due to progressive and selective loss of dopamine neurons in the ventral substantia nigra, with the presence of ubiquitinated protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the neurons. The pathoetiology of cell death in PD is incompletely understood and evidence implicates impaired mitochondrial complex I function, altered intracellular redox state, activation of proapoptotic factors and dysfunction of ubiquitinproteasome pathway. Now it is believed that genetic aberration, an environmental toxin or combination of both leads to a cascade of events culminating in the destruction of myelinated brainstem catecholaminergic neurons. Also the role of production of significant levels of abnormal proteins, which may misfold, aggregate and interfere with intracellular processes causing cytotoxicity has recently been hypothesized. In this article, the diverse pieces of evidence that have linked the various factors responsible for the pathophysiology of PD are reviewed with special emphasis to various candidate genes and proteins. Furthermore, the present therapeutic strategies and futuristic approaches for the pharmacotherapy of PD are critically discussed.

α-Synuclein gene ablation increases docosahexaenoic acid incorporation and turnover in brain phospholipids

Previously, we demonstrated that ablation of alpha-synuclein (Snca) reduces arachidonate (20:4n-6) turnover in brain phospholipids through modulation of an endoplasmic reticulum-localized acyl-CoA synthetase (Acsl). The effect of Snca ablation on docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) metabolism is unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of Snca gene ablation on brain 22:6n-3 metabolism. We determined 22:6n-3 uptake and incorporation into brain phospholipids by infusing awake, wild-type and Snca-/- mice with [1-14C]22:6n-3 using steady-state kinetic modeling. In addition, because Snca modulates 20:4n-6-CoA formation, we assessed microsomal Acsl activity using 22:6n-3 as a substrate. Although Snca gene ablation does not affect brain 22:6n-3 uptake, brain 22:6n-3-CoA mass was elevated 1.5-fold in the absence of Snca. This is consistent with the 1.6- to 2.2-fold increase in the incorporation rate and turnover in ethanolamine glycerophospholipid, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol pools. Increased 22:6n-3-CoA mass was not the result of altered Acsl activity, which was unaffected by the absence of Snca. While Snca bound 22:6n-3, Kd = 1.0 +/- 0.5 micromol/L, it did not bind 22:6n-3-CoA. These effects of Snca gene deletion on 22:6n-3 brain metabolism are opposite to what we reported previously for brain 20:4n-6 metabolism and are likely compensatory for the decreased 20:4n-6 metabolism in brains of Snca-/- mice.

Alpha-synuclein expression modulates microglial activation phenotype

Recent Parkinson's disease research has focused on understanding the function of the cytosolic protein, alpha-synuclein, and its contribution to disease mechanisms. Within neurons, alpha-synuclein is hypothesized to have a role in regulating synaptic plasticity, vesicle release, and trafficking. In contrast, glial-expressed alpha-synuclein remains poorly described. Here, we examine the consequence of a loss of alpha-synuclein expression on microglial activation. Using a postnatal brain-derived culture system, we defined the phenotype of microglia from wild-type and knock-out alpha-synuclein mice (Scna-/-). Scna-/- microglia displayed a basally increased reactive phenotype compared with the wild-type cells and an exacerbated reactive phenotype after stimulation. They also exhibited dramatic morphologic differences compared with wild-type, presenting as large, ramified cells filled with vacuole-like structures. This corresponded with increased protein levels of activation markers, CD68 and beta1 integrin, in the Scna-/- cells. More importantly, Scna-/- microglia, after stimulation, secreted elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, TNFalpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and IL-6 (interleukin-6), compared with wild type. However, despite the reactive phenotype, Scna-/- cells had impaired phagocytic ability. We demonstrate for the first time that alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in modulating microglial activation state. We suggest that altered microglial alpha-synuclein expression will affect their phenotype as has already been demonstrated in neurons. This has direct ramifications for the contribution of microglia to the pathophysiology of disease, particularly in familial cases linked to altered alpha-synuclein expression.

Alpha-synuclein enhances dopamine D2 receptor signaling

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a selective loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), which in turn results in dopamine depletion in the striatum, and the presence of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions known as Lewy bodies (LBs). Alpha-synuclein is a presynaptic protein that accumulates abnormally in LBs and is seen predominantly in cases of dementia with LBs. Although the central role of alpha-synuclein in neurodegeneration has been previously demonstrated by the discovery of missense alpha-synuclein mutations in familial PD, the specific mechanism by which alpha-synuclein contributes to these diseases remains unclear. In the present study, we examined whether alpha-synuclein affects the downstream signaling of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). In CHO cells stably transfected with D2Rs, alpha-synuclein enhanced dopamine D2-agonist-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase, which consequently affected its downstream cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-mediated gene transcription, while C-terminal deletion mutant of alpha-synuclein did not. Our study suggests that the alpha-synuclein enhances the dopamine-mediated intracellular signaling pathways by D2R, thus provide a possible mechanism in presynaptic regulation of the synaptic homeostasis in the dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Yeast as a drug discovery platform in Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases

The high degree of conservation of cellular and molecular processes between the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and higher eukaryotes have made it a valuable system for numerous studies of the basic mechanisms behind devastating illnesses such as cancer, infectious disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Several studies in yeast have already contributed to our basic understanding of cellular dysfunction in both Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. Functional genomics approaches currently being undertaken in yeast may lead to novel insights into the genes and pathways that modulate neuronal cell dysfunction and death in these diseases. In addition, the budding yeast constitutes a valuable system for identification of new drug targets, both via target-based and non-target-based drug screening. Importantly, yeast can be used as a cellular platform to analyze the cellular effects of candidate compounds, which is critical for the development of effective therapeutics. While the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegeneration will ultimately have to be tested in neuronal and animal models, there are several distinct advantages to using simple model organisms to elucidate fundamental aspects of protein aggregation, amyloid toxicity, and cellular dysfunction. Here, we review recent studies that have shown that amyloid formation by disease-causing proteins and many of the resulting cellular deficits can be faithfully recapitulated in yeast. In addition, we discuss new yeast-based techniques for screening candidate therapeutic compounds for Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.

α-Synuclein activation of protein phosphatase 2A reduces tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in dopaminergic cells

α-Synuclein is an abundant presynaptic protein implicated in neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases. Although the function of α-synuclein is not thoroughly elucidated, we found that α-synuclein regulates dopamine synthesis by binding to and inhibiting tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. Understanding α-synuclein function in dopaminergic cells should add to our knowledge of this key protein, which is implicated in Parkinson's disease and other disorders. Herein, we report a mechanism by which α-synuclein diminishes tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation and activity in stably transfected dopaminergic cells. Short-term regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase depends on the phosphorylation of key seryl residues in the amino-terminal regulatory domain of the protein. Of these, Ser40 contributes significantly to tyrosine hydroxylase activation and dopamine synthesis. We observed that α-synuclein overexpression caused reduced Ser40 phosphorylation in MN9D cells and inducible PC12 cells. Ser40 is phosphorylated chiefly by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase PKA and dephosphorylated almost exclusively by the protein phosphatase, PP2A. Therefore, we measured the impact of α-synuclein overexpression on levels and activity of PKA and PP2A in our cells. PKA was unaffected by α-synuclein. PP2A protein levels also were unchanged, however, the activity of PP2A increased in parallel with α-synuclein expression. Inhibition of PP2A dramatically increased Ser40 phosphorylation only in α-synuclein overexpressors in which α-synuclein was also found to co-immunoprecipitate with PP2A. Together the data reveal a functional interaction between α-synuclein and PP2A that leads to PP2A activation and underscores a key role for α-synuclein in protein phosphorylation.

Functions and pathophysiological roles of phospholipase D in the brain

Ten years after the isoforms of mammalian phospholipase D (PLD), PLD1 and 2, were cloned, their roles in the brain remain speculative but several lines of evidence now implicate these enzymes in basic cell functions such as vesicular trafficking as well as in brain development. Many mitogenic factors, including neurotransmitters and growth factors, activate PLD in neurons and astrocytes. Activation of PLD downstream of protein kinase C seems to be a required step for astroglial proliferation. The characteristic disruption of the PLD signaling pathway by ethanol probably contributes to the delay of brain growth in fetal alcohol syndrome. The post-natal increase of PLD activities concurs with synapto- and myelinogenesis in the brain and PLD is apparently involved in neurite formation. In the adult and aging brain, PLD activity has antiapoptotic properties suppressing ceramide formation. Increased PLD activities in acute and chronic neurodegeneration as well as in inflammatory processes are evidently due to astrogliosis and may be associated with protective responses of tissue repair and remodeling. ARF-regulated PLD participates in receptor endocytosis as well as in exocytosis of neurotransmitters where PLD seems to favor vesicle fusion by modifications of the shape and charge of lipid membranes. Finally, PLD activities contribute free choline for the synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain. Novel tools such as RNA interference should help to further elucidate the roles of PLD isoforms in brain physiology and pathology.

A combinatorial code for the interaction of alpha-synuclein with membranes

Considerable genetic and pathological evidence has implicated the small, soluble protein alpha-synuclein in the pathogenesis of familial and sporadic forms of Parkinsons disease (PD). However, the precise role of alpha-synuclein in the disease process as well as its normal function remain poorly understood. We recently found that an interaction with lipid rafts is crucial for the normal, pre-synaptic localization of alpha-synuclein. To understand how alpha-synuclein interacts with lipid rafts, we have now developed an in vitro binding assay to rafts purified from native membranes. Recapitulating the specificity observed in vivo, recombinant wild type but not PD-associated A30P mutant alpha-synuclein binds to lipid rafts isolated from cultured cells and purified synaptic vesicles. Proteolytic digestion of the rafts does not disrupt the binding of alpha-synuclein, indicating an interaction with lipid rather than protein components of these membranes. We have also found that alpha-synuclein binds directly to artificial membranes whose lipid composition mimics that of lipid rafts. The binding of alpha-synuclein to these raft-like liposomes requires acidic phospholipids, with a preference for phosphatidylserine (PS). Interestingly, a variety of synthetic PS with defined acyl chains do not support binding when used individually. Rather, the interaction with alpha-synuclein requires a combination of PS with oleic (18:1) and polyunsaturated (either 20:4 or 22:6) fatty acyl chains, suggesting a role for phase separation within the membrane. Furthermore, alpha-synuclein binds with higher affinity to artificial membranes with the PS head group on the polyunsaturated fatty acyl chain rather than on the oleoyl side chain, indicating a stringent combinatorial code for the interaction of alpha-synuclein with membranes.

Helix periodicity, topology, and dynamics of membrane-associated alpha-synuclein

The protein alpha-Synuclein (aS) is a synaptic vesicle-associated regulator of synaptic strength and dopamine homeostasis with a pathological role in Parkinson's disease. The normal function of aS depends on a membrane-associated conformation that is adopted upon binding to negatively charged lipid surfaces. Previously we found that the membrane-binding domain of aS is helical and suggested that it may exhibit an unusual structural periodicity. Here we present a study of the periodicity, topology, and dynamics of detergent micelle-bound aS using paramagnetic spin labels embedded in the micelle or attached to the protein. We show that the helical region of aS completes three full turns every 11 residues, demonstrating the proposed 11/3 periodicity. We also find that the membrane-binding domain is partially buried in the micelle surface and bends toward the hydrophobic interior, but does not traverse the micelle. Deeper submersion of certain regions within the micelle, including the unique lysine-free sixth 11-residue repeat, is observed and may be functionally important. There are no long-range tertiary contacts within this domain, indicating a highly extended configuration. The backbone dynamics of the micelle-bound region are relatively uniform with a slight decrease in flexibility observed toward the C-terminal end. These results clarify the topological features of aS bound to membrane-mimicking detergent micelles, with implications for aS function and pathology.

Abnormal metabotropic glutamate receptor expression and signaling in the cerebral cortex in diffuse Lewy body disease is associated with irregular alpha-synuclein/phospholipase C (PLCbeta1) interactions

Diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) is a degenerative disease of the nervous system, involving the brain stem, diencephalic nuclei and cerebral cortex, associated with abnormal a-synuclein aggregation and widespread formation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. DLBD presents as pure forms (DLBDp) or in association with Alzheimer disease (AD) in the common forms (DLBDc). Several neurotransmitter abnormalities have been reported including those of the nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system, and central noradrenergic, serotoninergic and cholinergic pathways. The present work examines metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) expression and signaling in the frontal cortex of DLBDp and DLBDc cases in comparison with age-matched controls. Abnormal L-[3H]glutamate specific binding to group I and II mGluRs, and abnormal mGluR1 levels have been found in DLBD. This is associated with reduced expression levels of phospholipase C beta1 (PLCbeta1), the effector of group I mGluRs following protein G activation upon glutamate binding. Additional modification in the solubility of PLCbeta1 and reduced PLCbeta1 activity in pure and common DLBD further demonstrates for the first time abnormal mGluR signaling in the cerebral cortex in DLBD. In order to look for a possible link between abnormal mGluR signaling and a-synuclein accumulation in DLBD, immunoprecipitation studies have shown alpha-synuclein/PLCbeta1 binding in controls and decreased alpha-synuclein/PLCbeta1 binding in DLBD. This is accompanied by a shift in the distribution of a-synuclein, but not of PLCbeta1, in DLBD when compared with controls. Together, these results support the concept that abnormal a-synuclein in DLBD produces functional effects on cortical glutamatergic synapses, which are associated with reduced alpha-synuclein/PLCbeta1 interactions, and, therefore, that mGluRs are putative pharmacological targets in DLBD. Finally, these results emphasize the emergence of a functional neuropathology that has to be explored for a better understanding of the effects of abnormal protein interactions in degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

Molecular genetics approaches in yeast to study amyloid diseases

The occurrence of protein aggregates in ordered fibrillar structures known as amyloid, found inside and outside of brain cells, is a feature shared by many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Although the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegeneration will ultimately have to be tested in neuronal and animal models, there are several distinct advantages in using model organisms to elucidate fundamental aspects of protein aggregation, amyloid formation, and toxicity. Here, we review recent studies indicating that amyloid formation by disease-causing proteins can be faithfully recapitulated in simple yeast-based models in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These studies have already contributed to our basic understanding of molecular chaperone function/dysfunction in Huntington's disease, and functional genomics approaches being undertaken currently will likely bear novel insights into the genes and pathways that modulate neuronal cell dysfunction and death in these devastating diseases. A final advantage of using yeast to study amyloid formation and toxicity is the ease and rapidity with which large-scale drug-screening efforts can be conducted in this model organism.

Does alpha-synuclein modulate dopaminergic synaptic content and tone at the synapse?

alpha-Synuclein is a key component of the pathological process of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. Although its contributions to normal physiological conditions remain elusive, converging observations suggest that a primary function of this protein in dopaminergic neurons may be the regulation of dopamine content and synaptic tone at the synapse. We review here cumulative evidence that demonstrates the participation of alpha-synuclein in the life cycle of dopamine from its synthesis, storage, release, and reuptake. The regulatory role of alpha-synuclein on dopamine metabolism is assessed by discussing the experimental evidence supporting each of these observations in the healthy physiological maintenance of dopaminergic neurons, as well as showing how disruption of these events can initiate the observed neurotoxicity of alpha-synuclein and the genesis of the degenerative processes associated with Parkinson's disease.

β-Synuclein Regulates Akt Activity in Neuronal Cells

Recent studies have shown that the neurodegenerative process in disorders with Lewy body formation, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, is associated with alpha-synuclein accumulation and that beta-synuclein might protect the central nervous system from the neurotoxic effects of alpha-synuclein. However, the mechanisms are unclear. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the potential involvement of the serine threonine kinase Akt (also known as protein kinase B) signaling pathway in the mechanisms of beta-synuclein neuroprotection. For this purpose, Akt activity and cell survival were analyzed in synuclein-transfected B103 neuroblastoma cells and primary cortical neurons. Beta-synuclein transfection resulted in increased Akt activity and conferred protection from the neurotoxic effects of rotenone. Down-regulation of Akt expression resulted in an increased susceptibility to rotenone toxicity, whereas transfection with a lentiviral vector encoding for beta-synuclein was protective. The effects of beta-synuclein on the Akt pathway appear to be by direct interaction between these molecules and were independent of upstream signaling molecules. Taken together, these results indicate that the mechanisms of beta-synuclein neuroprotection might involve direct interactions between beta-synuclein and Akt and suggest that this signaling pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for neurological conditions associated with parkinsonism and alpha-synuclein aggregation.

Parkin and alpha-synuclein: opponent actions in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Dominant mutations in the gene for alpha-synuclein, a small presynaptic protein, can cause Parkinson's disease. Although there is still substantial debate about the precise mechanisms, alpha-synuclein is toxic to vulnerable neurons, probably as a result of its tendency to aggregate. Opposing this is another gene product that, when mutated, causes a recessive form of parkinsonism, parkin. Parkin has been recently shown to protect cells against alpha-synuclein toxicity. However, the precise details of the mechanism are unclear. This review will discuss the concept that there are multiple neuronal functions that are targeted by mutant alpha-synuclein, and in many cases, there is evidence that parkin can protect cells against damage to the same systems. The authors will also discuss ways in which to test some of these ideas, by using newly identified genes such as DJ-1 that cause similar phenotypes.

Structural Determinants of PLD2 Inhibition by α-Synuclein

The presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein has been implicated in both neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative disease, but its normal function remains unclear. We described the induction of an amphipathic alpha-helix at the N terminus (exons 2-4) of alpha-synuclein upon exposure to phospholipid vesicles, and hypothesized that lipid-binding might serve as a functional switch by stabilizing alpha-synuclein in an active (alpha-helical) conformation. Others have shown that alpha and beta-synucleins inhibit phospholipase D (PLD), an enzyme involved in lipid-mediated signaling cascades and vesicle trafficking. Here, we report that all three naturally occurring synuclein isoforms (alpha, beta, and gamma-synuclein) are similarly effective inhibitors of PLD2 in vitro, as is the Parkinson's disease-associated mutant A30P. The PD-associated mutant A53T, however, is a more potent inhibitor of PLD2 than is wild-type alpha-synuclein. We analyze mutations of the alpha-synuclein protein to identify critical determinants of human PLD2 inhibition in vitro. Deletion of residues 56-102 (exon 4) decreases PLD2 inhibition significantly; this activity of exon 4 may require adoption of an alpha-helical conformation, as mutations that disrupt alpha-helicity also abrogate inhibition. Deletion of C-terminal residues 130-140 (exon 6) completely abolishes inhibitory activity. In addition, PLD2 inhibition is blocked by phosphorylation at serine 129 or at tyrosine residues 125 and 136, or by mutations that mimic phosphorylation at these sites. We conclude that PLD2 inhibition by alpha-synuclein is mediated by a lipid-stabilized alpha-helical structure in exon 4 and also by residues within exon 6, and that this inhibition can be modulated by phosphorylation of specific residues in exons 5 and 6.

Cycles of aberrant synaptic sprouting and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are the most common neurodegenerative disorders affecting the elderly. The cognitive and motor deficits in these diseases are associated with the disruption of neuritic substructure, loss of synaptic contacts in selectively vulnerable circuitries, and aberrant sprouting. Where as in AD, accumulation of misfolded forms of Abeta triggers neurodegeneration, in DLB accumulation of alpha-synuclein might play a central role. The mechanisms by which oligomeric forms of these proteins might lead to cycles of synapse loss and aberrant sprouting are currently under investigation. Several possibilities are being considered, including mitochondrial damage, caspase activation, lysosomal leakage, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus, interference with synaptic vesicle transport and function, and interference with gene transcription and signaling. Among them, recent lines of research support the possibility that alterations in signaling pathways such extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 relevant to synaptic plasticity and cell survival might play a pivotal role. A wide range of cellular functions are affected by the accumulation of misfolded Abeta and alpha-synuclein; thus it is possible that a more fundamental cellular alteration may underlie the mechanisms of synaptic pathology in these disorders. Among them, one possibility is that scaffold proteins, such as caveolin and JNK-interacting protein (JIP), which are necessary to integrate signaling pathways, are affected, leading to cycles of synapse loss and aberrant sprouting. This is significant because both caveolar dysfunction and altered axonal plasticity might be universally important in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders, and therefore these signaling pathways might be common therapeutic targets for these devastating diseases.

Parkinson's disease: mechanisms and models

Parkinson's disease (PD) results primarily from the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Current PD medications treat symptoms; none halt or retard dopaminergic neuron degeneration. The main obstacle to developing neuroprotective therapies is a limited understanding of the key molecular events that provoke neurodegeneration. The discovery of PD genes has led to the hypothesis that misfolding of proteins and dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway are pivotal to PD pathogenesis. Previously implicated culprits in PD neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, may also act in part by causing the accumulation of misfolded proteins, in addition to producing other deleterious events in dopaminergic neurons. Neurotoxin-based models (particularly MPTP) have been important in elucidating the molecular cascade of cell death in dopaminergic neurons. PD models based on the manipulation of PD genes should prove valuable in elucidating important aspects of the disease, such as selective vulnerability of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons to the degenerative process.