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Lázaro DF, Lee VMY. Navigating through the complexities of synucleinopathies: Insights into pathogenesis, heterogeneity, and future perspectives. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00364-7. [PMID: 38861985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.05.017] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The aggregation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) represents a neuropathological hallmark observed in a group of neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as synucleinopathies. Despite their shared characteristics, these disorders manifest diverse clinical and pathological phenotypes. The mechanism underlying this heterogeneity is thought to be due to the diversity in the aSyn strains present across the diseases. In this perspective, we will explore recent findings on aSyn strains and discuss recent discoveries about Lewy bodies' composition. We further discuss the current hypothesis for aSyn spreading and emphasize the emerging biomarker field demonstrating promising results. A comprehension of these mechanisms holds substantial promise for future clinical applications. This understanding can pave the way for the development of personalized medicine strategies, specifically targeting the unique underlying causes of each synucleinopathy. Such advancements can revolutionize therapeutic approaches and significantly contribute to more effective interventions in the intricate landscape of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana F Lázaro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, 3 Maloney Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, 3600 Spruce Street, 3 Maloney Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Pons ML, Loftus N, Vialaret J, Moreau S, Lehmann S, Hirtz C. Proteomics Challenges for the Assessment of Synuclein Proteoforms as Clinical Biomarkers in Parkinson’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:818606. [PMID: 35431896 PMCID: PMC9009522 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.818606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder resulting in a multifaceted clinical presentation which includes bradykinesia combined with either rest tremor, rigidity, or both, as well as many non-motor symptoms. The motor features of the disorder are associated with the pathological form of alpha synuclein aggregates and fibrils in Lewy bodies and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Parkinson’s disease is increasingly considered as a group of underlying disorders with unique genetic, biological, and molecular abnormalities that are likely to respond differentially to a given therapeutic approach. For this reason, it is clinically challenging to treat and at present, no therapy can slow down or arrest the progression of Parkinson’s disease. There is a clear unmet clinical need to develop reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. When disease-modifying treatments become available, prognostic biomarkers are required to support a definitive diagnosis and clinical intervention during the long prodromal period as no clinical implications or symptoms are observed. Robust diagnostic biomarkers would also be useful to monitor treatment response. Potential biomarkers for the sporadic form of Parkinson’s disease have mostly included synuclein species (monomer, oligomer, phosphorylated, Lewy Body enriched fraction and isoforms). In this review, we consider the analysis of synuclein and its proteoforms in biological samples using proteomics techniques (immunoassay and mass spectrometry) applied to neurodegenerative disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Laure Pons
- IRMB-PPC, INM, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Shimadzu Corporation, Duisburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marie-Laure Pons,
| | - Neil Loftus
- Shimadzu Corporation, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jerome Vialaret
- IRMB-PPC, INM, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sylvain Lehmann
- IRMB-PPC, INM, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Hirtz
- IRMB-PPC, INM, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Wassouf Z, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Alpha-synuclein at the nexus of genes and environment: the impact of environmental enrichment and stress on brain health and disease. J Neurochem 2019; 150:591-604. [PMID: 31165472 PMCID: PMC6771760 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of alpha‐synuclein protein aggregates is the hallmark neuropathologic feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease. Rare point mutations and multiplications in SNCA, the gene encoding alpha‐synuclein, as well as other genetic alterations are linked to familial Parkinson’s disease cases with high penetrance and hence constitute major genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease. However, the preponderance of cases seems sporadic, most likely based on a complex interplay between genetic predispositions, aging processes and environmental influences. Deciphering the impact of these environmental factors and their interactions with the individual genetic background in humans is challenging and often requires large cohorts, complicated study designs, and longitudinal set‐ups. In contrast, rodent models offer an ideal system to study the influence of individual environmental aspects under controlled genetic background and standardized conditions. In this review, we highlight findings from studies examining effects of environmental enrichment mimicking stimulation of the brain by its physical and social surroundings as well as of environmental stressors on brain health in the context of Parkinson’s disease. We discuss possible internal molecular transducers of such environmental cues in Parkinson’s disease rodent models and emphasize their potential in developing novel avenues to much‐needed therapies for this still incurable disease. ![]()
This article is part of the Special Issue “Synuclein”
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinah Wassouf
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Zhang Y, Liu W, Chen Y, Liu J, Wu K, Su L, Zhang W, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Liu C, Tao L, Liu B, Zhang H. A Cellular MicroRNA Facilitates Regulatory T Lymphocyte Development by Targeting the FOXP3 Promoter TATA-Box Motif. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 200:1053-1063. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Tolmasov M, Djaldetti R, Lev N, Gilgun-Sherki Y. Pathological and clinical aspects of alpha/beta synuclein in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:505-13. [PMID: 26959397 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1164600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies are characterized by extensive neuronal cell loss, which is potentially triggered by α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation. Therefore it is reasonable to suggest that treatments targeting α-synuclein could reduce its levels and toxicity, rescue neuronal cells and halt the neurodegeneration process. Several approaches to decrease α-synuclein levels were employed thus far, mainly by using β-synuclein, another protein from the same family, or immunotherapies. These treatments demonstrated some positive results in preclinical studies, which may pave the road to the development of new promising disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). This approach should be further examined in preclinical and clinical settings, together with a clear process in order to advance candidates, enable the ability to define when there are target engagements and to detect what is a meaningful pharmacological response, and how it will be translated in clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tolmasov
- a Specialty Products Department , Dexcel Pharma Technologies Ltd ., Jerusalem , Israel
| | - Ruth Djaldetti
- b Department of Neurology , Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus , Petach Tikva , Israel
| | - Nirit Lev
- b Department of Neurology , Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus , Petach Tikva , Israel
| | - Yossi Gilgun-Sherki
- a Specialty Products Department , Dexcel Pharma Technologies Ltd ., Jerusalem , Israel
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Krassnig S, Schweinzer C, Taub N, Havas D, Auer E, Flunkert S, Schreibmayer W, Hutter-Paier B, Windisch M. Influence of Lentiviral β-Synuclein Overexpression in the Hippocampus of a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease on Amyloid Precursor Protein Metabolism and Pathology. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 15:243-57. [PMID: 26111745 DOI: 10.1159/000430952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND β-Synuclein (β-Syn) is a member of the highly homologous synuclein protein family. The most prominent family member, α-synuclein (α-Syn), abnormally accumulates in so-called Lewy bodies, one of the major pathological hallmarks of α-synucleinopathies. Notably, parts of the peptide backbone, called the nonamyloid component, are also found in amyloid plaques. However, β-Syn seems to have beneficial effects by reducing α-Syn aggregation, and amyloid antiaggregatory activity has been described. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to analyze if wild-type β-Syn can counteract functional and pathological changes in a murine Alzheimer model over different time periods. METHODS At the onset of pathology, lentiviral particles expressing human β-Syn were injected into the hippocampus of transgenic mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein with Swedish and London mutations (APPSL). An empty vector served as the control. Behavioral analyses were performed 1, 3 and 6 months after injection followed by biochemical and histological examinations of brain samples. RESULTS β-Syn expression was locally concentrated and rather modest, but nevertheless changed its effect on APP expression and plaque load in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta was enhanced in APPSL mice expressing human β-Syn, but an inverse trend was observed in wild-type animals. CONCLUSION The initially reported beneficial effects of β-Syn could be partially reproduced, but locally elevated levels of β-Syn might also cause neurodegeneration. To enlighten the controversial pathological mechanism of β-Syn, further examinations considering the relationship between concentration and exposure time of β-Syn are needed.
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Evaluation of the synuclein-γ (SNCG) gene as a PPARγ target in murine adipocytes, dorsal root ganglia somatosensory neurons, and human adipose tissue. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115830. [PMID: 25756178 PMCID: PMC4355072 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence in adipocytes points to a role for synuclein-γ in metabolism and lipid droplet dynamics, but interestingly this factor is also robustly expressed in peripheral neurons. Specific regulation of the synuclein-γ gene (Sncg) by PPARγ requires further evaluation, especially in peripheral neurons, prompting us to test if Sncg is a bona fide PPARγ target in murine adipocytes and peripheral somatosensory neurons derived from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Sncg mRNA was decreased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (~68%) by rosiglitazone, and this effect was diminished by the PPARγ antagonist T0070907. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed PPARγ protein binding at two promoter sequences of Sncg during 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. Rosiglitazone did not affect Sncg mRNA expression in murine cultured DRG neurons. In subcutaneous human WAT samples from two cohorts treated with pioglitazone (>11 wks), SNCG mRNA expression was reduced, albeit highly variable and most evident in type 2 diabetes. Leptin (Lep) expression, thought to be coordinately-regulated with Sncg based on correlations in human adipose tissue, was also reduced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by rosiglitazone. However, Lep was unaffected by PPARγ antagonist, and the LXR agonist T0901317 significantly reduced Lep expression (~64%) while not impacting Sncg. The results support the concept that synuclein-γ shares some, but not all, gene regulators with leptin and is a PPARγ target in adipocytes but not DRG neurons. Regulation of synuclein-γ by cues such as PPARγ agonism in adipocytes is logical based on recent evidence for an important role for synuclein-γ in the maintenance and dynamics of adipocyte lipid droplets.
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Abstract
α-Synuclein is an abundant neuronal protein which localizes predominantly to presynaptic terminals, and is strongly linked genetically and pathologically to Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. While the accumulation of α-synuclein in the form of misfolded oligomers and large aggregates defines multiple neurodegenerative diseases called "synucleinopathies", its cellular function has remained largely unclear, and is the subject of intense investigation. In this review, I focus on the structural characteristics of α-synuclein, its cellular and subcellular localization, and discuss how this relates to its function in neurons, in particular at the neuronal synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Burré
- Appel Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Wright JA, McHugh PC, Pan S, Cunningham A, Brown DR. Counter-regulation of alpha- and beta-synuclein expression at the transcriptional level. Mol Cell Neurosci 2013; 57:33-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Gonçalves JP, Francisco AP, Moreau Y, Madeira SC. Interactogeneous: disease gene prioritization using heterogeneous networks and full topology scores. PLoS One 2012. [PMID: 23185389 PMCID: PMC3501465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease gene prioritization aims to suggest potential implications of genes in disease susceptibility. Often accomplished in a guilt-by-association scheme, promising candidates are sorted according to their relatedness to known disease genes. Network-based methods have been successfully exploiting this concept by capturing the interaction of genes or proteins into a score. Nonetheless, most current approaches yield at least some of the following limitations: (1) networks comprise only curated physical interactions leading to poor genome coverage and density, and bias toward a particular source; (2) scores focus on adjacencies (direct links) or the most direct paths (shortest paths) within a constrained neighborhood around the disease genes, ignoring potentially informative indirect paths; (3) global clustering is widely applied to partition the network in an unsupervised manner, attributing little importance to prior knowledge; (4) confidence weights and their contribution to edge differentiation and ranking reliability are often disregarded. We hypothesize that network-based prioritization related to local clustering on graphs and considering full topology of weighted gene association networks integrating heterogeneous sources should overcome the above challenges. We term such a strategy Interactogeneous. We conducted cross-validation tests to assess the impact of network sources, alternative path inclusion and confidence weights on the prioritization of putative genes for 29 diseases. Heat diffusion ranking proved the best prioritization method overall, increasing the gap to neighborhood and shortest paths scores mostly on single source networks. Heterogeneous associations consistently delivered superior performance over single source data across the majority of methods. Results on the contribution of confidence weights were inconclusive. Finally, the best Interactogeneous strategy, heat diffusion ranking and associations from the STRING database, was used to prioritize genes for Parkinson’s disease. This method effectively recovered known genes and uncovered interesting candidates which could be linked to pathogenic mechanisms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana P. Gonçalves
- Knowledge Discovery and Bioinformatics Group, INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- * E-mail: (JPG); (SCM)
| | - Alexandre P. Francisco
- Knowledge Discovery and Bioinformatics Group, INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Yves Moreau
- Electrical Engineering Department, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara C. Madeira
- Knowledge Discovery and Bioinformatics Group, INESC-ID, Lisbon, Portugal
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- * E-mail: (JPG); (SCM)
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and prion diseases are age-related neurodegenerative disorders associated with a progressive decline of cognitive brain functions. Due to the increase in prevalence rates, and the rising costs associated with clinical and social care, treatments designed to prevent or reverse these diseases are urgently needed. The most common major biochemical characteristic of these neurodegenerative diseases is the deposition of abnormal protein aggregates in brain. The decryption of the mechanisms of aggregation and associated neurotoxicity may reveal new therapeutic targets, which will enable treatment for these devastating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hock
- Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Elcoroaristizabal Martín X, Gómez Busto F, González Fernández MC, de Pancorbo MM. [Role of genetics in the etiology of synucleinopathies]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2011; 46 Suppl 1:3-11. [PMID: 22152908 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2011.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Elcoroaristizabal Martín
- Grupo de Investigación BIOMICS, Departamento de Biología Celular A, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados Lucio Lascaray, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, España
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McHugh PC, Wright JA, Brown DR. Transcriptional regulation of the beta-synuclein 5'-promoter metal response element by metal transcription factor-1. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17354. [PMID: 21386983 PMCID: PMC3046239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The progression of many human neurodegenerative disorders is associated with an accumulation of alpha-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein belongs to the homologous synuclein family, which includes beta-synuclein. It has been proposed that beta-synuclein may be a natural regulator of alpha-synuclein. Therefore controlling beta-synuclein expression may control the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and ultimately prevent disease progression. The regulation of synucleins is poorly understood. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of beta-synuclein, with the aim of identifying molecules that differentially control beta-synuclein expression levels. To investigate transcriptional regulation of beta-synuclein, we used reporter gene assays and bioinformatics. We identified a region -1.1/-0.6 kb upstream of the beta-synuclein translational start site to be a key regulatory region of beta-synuclein 5'-promoter activity in human dopaminergic cells (SH-SY5Y). Within this key promoter region we identified a metal response element pertaining to a putative Metal Transcription Factor-1 (MTF-1) binding site. We demonstrated that MTF-1 binds to this 5'-promoter region using EMSA analysis. Moreover, we showed that MTF-1 differentially regulates beta-synuclein promoter binding site, as well as beta-synuclein mRNA and protein expression. This effect of MTF-1 on expression was found to be specific to beta-synuclein when compared to alpha-synuclein. Understanding the regulation of synucleins and how they interact may point to molecular targets that could be manipulated for therapeutic benefit. In this study we showed that MTF-1 differentially controls the expression of beta-synuclein when compared to its homolog alpha-synuclein. This could potentially provide a novel targets or pathways for therapeutic intervention and/or treatment of synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C. McHugh
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine A. Wright
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - David R. Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
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Larsen K, Frandsen PM, Madsen LB, Bendixen C. Molecular cloning, characterization and developmental expression of porcine beta-synuclein. Mol Biol Rep 2009; 37:1439-49. [PMID: 19343535 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-009-9531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/21/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The synuclein family includes three known proteins: alpha-synuclein, beta-synuclein and gamma-synuclein. beta-Synuclein inhibits the aggregation of alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in Parkinson's disease. We have cloned and characterized the cDNA sequence for porcine beta-synuclein (SNCB) from pig cerebellum using RT-PCR. Expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that SNCB transcripts were highly abundant in brain tissues. SNCB mRNA was also detected early in embryogenesis and significant increases in transcript levels were observed in several brain tissues during embryo development. Radiation hybrid mapping data indicate that the porcine SNCB maps to the q arm of chromosome 2 (2q21-22). The subcellular localization of recombinant porcine beta-synuclein was determined in three different cell types and shown to be cytoplasmic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knud Larsen
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, Tjele, Denmark.
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Localization of synucleins in the mammalian cochlea. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2008; 9:452-63. [PMID: 18665422 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-008-0134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleins are widely expressed synaptic proteins within the central nervous system that have been implicated in such neurodegenerative disorders as Parkinson's disease. In this study, an initial characterization of all three synucleins, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synuclein, within the cochlea was undertaken. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated all three synuclein mRNA species within microdissected cochlear tissue. Quantitative PCR suggests that beta-synuclein is the most abundantly expressed form, followed by gamma- and then alpha-synuclein. Western blot analysis similarly demonstrates all three synuclein proteins within microdissected cochlear tissue. Immunofluorescence localizes the three synucleins predominantly to the efferent neuronal system at the efferent outer hair cell synapse, with some additional localization within the efferent tunnel-crossing fibers (alpha- and gamma-synuclein), spiral ganglion (beta-synuclein), inner spiral bundle (gamma-synuclein), and stria vascularis (alpha- > beta-synuclein). Developmentally, gamma-synuclein can be seen in the region of the outer hair cells by E19, while alpha- and beta-synuclein do not clearly appear there until approximately P10. Additional studies in a null-mutant gamma-synuclein mouse show no histological changes in the organ of Corti with normal hair cell and spiral ganglion cell counts, and normal ABR and DPOAE thresholds in wild-type vs mutant littermates. Together, these results localize synucleins to the efferent cholinergic neuronal auditory system, pointing to a role in normal auditory function, and raising the potential implications for their role in auditory neurodegenerative disorders. However, gamma-synuclein alone is not required for the development and maintenance of normal hearing through P21. Whether overlapping roles of the other synucleins help compensate for the loss of gamma-synuclein remains to be determined.
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Ahmad M, Attoub S, Singh MN, Martin FL, El-Agnaf OMA. Gamma-synuclein and the progression of cancer. FASEB J 2007; 21:3419-30. [PMID: 17567567 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-8379rev] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The synucleins are a small, soluble, highly conserved group of neuronal proteins that have been implicated in both neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The synuclein family consists of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synucleins (gamma-syn). They are a natively unfolded group of proteins that share sequence homologies and structural properties. So far, the biological functions of the synucleins are still unclear, but their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer may provide insights into the pathological processes that result from these two groups of debilitating diseases, and present the possibility to use them as potential targets for early diagnosis and treatment. Recently, elevated levels of gamma-syn proteins have been detected in various types of cancer, especially in advanced stages of the disease. Furthermore, studies to date indicate that overexpression of gamma-syn compromises normal mitotic checkpoint controls, resulting in multinucleation as well as faster cell growth. Gamma-syn has also been shown to promote invasion and metastasis in in vitro assays as well as in animal models. Overexpression of gamma-syn also interferes with drug-induced apoptotic responses. These observations raise questions about the involvement of gamma-syn in the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis, and efforts have already been made to use gamma-syn as a marker for assessing breast cancer progression. This review will discuss the involvement of gamma-syn in cancer progression, metastasis and its potential as a marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mushfika Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates, Al Ain, PO BOX 17666, United Arab Emirates
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Lam TC, Li KK, Lo SCL, Guggenheim JA, To CH. A chick retinal proteome database and differential retinal protein expressions during early ocular development. J Proteome Res 2006; 5:771-84. [PMID: 16602683 DOI: 10.1021/pr050280n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Proteomics approach as a research tool has gained popularity in a growing number of basic and clinical researches. However, proteomic research has yet to gain significant momentum in eye research. Hence, we decided to build a retinal proteome database using postnatal retinal tissue from chick, a commonly used animal model in eye research. Employing 2-D gels with the coverage of 3-10 pH gradients, we were able to resolve hundreds of proteins from young chick retinae. Among them, 155 high abundant proteins were identified by Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMF) after the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). These proteins were then classified according to their functions. Making use of the retinal database, we were able to identify several differentially expressed proteins that might be involved in early retinal development by comparing the 2-DE maps of chick retinal tissues (3, 10, and 20 days after hatching). With the current proteomics approach, we not only documented the most abundant soluble proteins in the chick retinal tissue, but also demonstrated the dynamic protein expression changes during early ocular development. This represents one of the first steps in building a complete protein database in chick retinae which is applicable to the study of eye diseases from a few selected protein candidates to the whole proteome. Proteomic technology may provide a high throughput platform for advancing eye research in the feasible future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Lam
- Laboratory of Experimental Optometry, Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Lee D, Paik SR, Choi KY. Beta-synuclein exhibits chaperone activity more efficiently than alpha-synuclein. FEBS Lett 2004; 576:256-60. [PMID: 15474047 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.08.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2004] [Accepted: 08/13/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Beta-synuclein exhibits high sequence homology and structural similarity with alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We investigated the chaperone function of beta-synuclein and its anti-fibrillar activity in comparison with alpha-synuclein. beta-Synuclein suppressed the heat-induced aggregation of aldolase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase, and its anti-aggregative activity was remarkably higher than that of alpha-synuclein. Heat-induced inactivation of citrate synthase was significantly protected by beta-synuclein. Moreover, beta-synuclein inhibited the amyloid formation of both Abeta(1-40) and alpha-synuclein. It is, therefore, suggested that beta-synuclein can prevent abnormal protein aggregations more effectively than alpha-synuclein by acting as a molecular chaperone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daekyun Lee
- Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, National Research Laboratory of Protein Folding and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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19
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Takao M, Ghetti B, Yoshida H, Piccardo P, Narain Y, Murrell JR, Vidal R, Glazier BS, Jakes R, Tsutsui M, Spillantini MG, Crowther RA, Goedert M, Koto A. Early-onset dementia with Lewy bodies. Brain Pathol 2004; 14:137-47. [PMID: 15193026 PMCID: PMC8095855 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2004.tb00046.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical and neuropathological characteristics of an atypical form of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are described. The proband experienced difficulties in her school performance at 13 years of age. Neurological examination revealed cognitive dysfunction, dysarthria, parkinsonism and myoclonus. By age 14 years, the symptoms had worsened markedly and the proband died at age 15 years. On neuropathological examination, the brain was severely atrophic. Numerous intracytoplasmic and intraneuritic Lewy bodies, as well as Lewy neurites, were present throughout the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclel; vacuolar changes were seen in the upper layers of the neocortex and severe neuronal loss and gliosis were evident in the cerebral cortex and substantia nigra. Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites were strongly immunoreactive for alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin. Lewy bodies were composed of filamentous and granular material and isolated filaments were decorated by alpha-synuclein antibodies. Immunohistochemistry for tau or beta-amyloid yielded negative results. The etiology of this atypical form of DLB is unknown, since there was no family history and since sequencing of the exonic regions of alpha-Synuclein, beta-Synuclein, Synphilin-1, Parkin, Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 and Neurofilament-M failed to reveal a pathogenic mutation. This study provides further evidence of the clinical and pathological heterogeneity of DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Takao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bernardino Ghetti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | | | - Pedro Piccardo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Yolanda Narain
- Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Neurology, Cambridge University, United Kingdom
| | - Jill R. Murrell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Ruben Vidal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Bradley S. Glazier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Ross Jakes
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Miho Tsutsui
- Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Neurology, Cambridge University, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Michel Goedert
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Atsuo Koto
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Mor F, Quintana F, Mimran A, Cohen IR. Autoimmune encephalomyelitis and uveitis induced by T cell immunity to self beta-synuclein. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 170:628-34. [PMID: 12496452 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.1.628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Beta-synuclein is a neuronal protein that accumulates in the plaques that characterize neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. It has been proposed that immunization to peptides of plaque-forming proteins might be used therapeutically to help dissociate pathogenic plaques in the brain. We now report that immunization of Lewis rats with a peptide from beta-synuclein resulted in acute paralytic encephalomyelitis and uveitis. T cell lines and clones reactive to the peptide adoptively transferred the disease to naive rats. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of beta-synuclein in heavy myelin, indicating that the expression of beta-synuclein is not confined to neurons. These results add beta-synuclein to the roster of encephalitogenic self Ags, point out the potential danger of therapeutic autoimmunization to beta-synuclein, and alert us to the unsuspected possibility that autoimmunity to beta-synuclein might play an inflammatory role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Mor
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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21
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Abstract
In idiopathic Parkinson's disease and familial parkinsonism, the limited number of overlapping clinical and pathological outcomes argue that a common underlying molecular pathway is perturbed. Genetic methods are a powerful approach to identify molecular components of disease. We summarize recent attempts to identify the genetic components of familial parkinsonism, without a priori assumptions about disease causation. Much effort has been expended on mapping in families with early-onset disease, in which parkinsonism appears inherited as a Mendelian trait. More recently, association methods have been employed in late-onset disease using affected sib-pairs and population isolates. These findings have been extrapolated to Parkinson's disease in the community with some success. We review the molecular synthesis now emerging from a genetic perspective.
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22
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Sopher BL, Koszdin KL, McClain ME, Myrick SB, Martinez RA, Smith AC, La Spada AR. Genomic organization, chromosome location, and expression analysis of mouse beta-synuclein, a candidate for involvement in neurodegeneration. CYTOGENETICS AND CELL GENETICS 2001; 93:117-23. [PMID: 11474193 DOI: 10.1159/000056962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The synuclein family of proteins is a group of primarily brain-expressed polypeptides that show a high degree of amino acid conservation. alpha-Synuclein is the best known of the synuclein family, as it is a major component of the Lewy body, a cytoplasmic inclusion characteristic of Parkinson's disease as well as a variety of related neurodegenerative disorders. With the discovery that mutations in alpha-synuclein can cause Parkinson's disease, a potential role for the other synuclein family members in neurodegenerative disease is being considered. beta-Synuclein in particular may deserve special attention, as it is co-expressed with alpha-synuclein at presynaptic nerve terminals, is subject to phosphorylation by Ca(2+) calmodulin protein kinase II, appears important for neural plasticity, and forms aggregates in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease and a related disorder. To facilitate study of beta-synuclein, we have cloned the mouse beta-synuclein gene (Sncb) and determined its genomic organization, size, and intron-exon structure. Using an interspecific backcross mapping panel from The Jackson Laboratory, we were then able to localize Sncb to chromosome 13 at the MGD 35.0 cM position. Like the human beta-synuclein gene, Sncb appears to consist of six exons separated by five introns. Unlike the human beta-synuclein gene, the mouse ortholog possesses a variant GC 5' splice donor sequence at the exon 4 - intron 4 boundary in a highly conserved splice junction consensus. Northern blot analysis and Western blot analysis both indicate that Sncb is highly expressed in the brain. Knowledge of the genomic organization and expression pattern of Sncb will allow functional studies of its potential role in neurodegeneration to commence in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Sopher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Room NW 120, Seattle, WA 98995-7110, USA
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23
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Spillantini MG, Goedert M. The alpha-synucleinopathies: Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001; 920:16-27. [PMID: 11193145 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06900.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 357] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathologically, it is characterized by the degeneration of populations of nerve cells that develop filamentous inclusions in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Recent work has shown that the filamentous inclusions of Parkinson's disease are made of the protein alpha-synuclein and that rare, familial forms of Parkinson's disease are caused by missense mutations in the alpha-synuclein gene. Besides Parkinson's disease, the filamentous inclusions of two additional neurodegenerative diseases, namely, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy, have also been found to be made of alpha-synuclein. Recombinant alpha-synuclein has been shown to assemble into filaments with similar morphologies to those found in the human diseases and with a cross-beta fiber diffraction pattern. The new work has established the alpha-synucleinopathies as a major class of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Spillantini
- Department of Neurology and Brain Repair Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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24
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Biere AL, Wood SJ, Wypych J, Steavenson S, Jiang Y, Anafi D, Jacobsen FW, Jarosinski MA, Wu GM, Louis JC, Martin F, Narhi LO, Citron M. Parkinson's disease-associated alpha-synuclein is more fibrillogenic than beta- and gamma-synuclein and cannot cross-seed its homologs. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:34574-9. [PMID: 10942772 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m005514200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is pathologically characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic Lewy bodies. Recently, two point mutations in alpha-synuclein were found to be associated with familial PD, but as of yet no mutations have been described in the homologous genes beta- and gamma-synuclein. alpha-Synuclein forms the major fibrillar component of Lewy bodies, but these do not stain for beta- or gamma-synuclein. This result is very surprising, given the extent of sequence conservation and the high similarity in expression and subcellular localization, in particular between alpha- and beta-synuclein. Here we compare in vitro fibrillogenesis of all three purified synucleins. We show that fresh solutions of alpha-, beta-, and gamma- synuclein show the same natively unfolded structure. While over time alpha-synuclein forms the previously described fibrils, no fibrils could be detected for beta- and gamma-synuclein under the same conditions. Most importantly, beta- and gamma-synuclein could not be cross-seeded with alpha-synuclein fibrils. However, under conditions that drastically accelerate aggregation, gamma-synuclein can form fibrils with a lag phase roughly three times longer than alpha-synuclein. These results indicate that beta- and gamma-synuclein are intrinsically less fibrillogenic than alpha-synuclein and cannot form mixed fibrils with alpha-synuclein, which may explain why they do not appear in the pathological hallmarks of PD, although they are closely related to alpha-synuclein and are also abundant in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Biere
- Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320-1789, USA.
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Lincoln S, Crook R, Chartier-Harlin MC, Gwinn-Hardy K, Baker M, Mouroux V, Richard F, Becquet E, Amouyel P, Destée A, Hardy J, Farrer M. No pathogenic mutations in the beta-synuclein gene in Parkinson's disease. Neurosci Lett 1999; 269:107-9. [PMID: 10430516 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(99)00420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We present 11 families consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance of probable Parkinson's disease (PD). Although excluded as a cause of disease in these kindreds, mutations in the alpha-synuclein gene have been implicated in familial PD. The beta-synuclein gene is highly homologous, expressed in the nervous system and thus is a good candidate gene for PD. Multipoint linkage analysis was either equivocal or excluded 5q35 haplotype sharing among affected family members. Sequencing the translated exons of the beta-synuclein gene failed to identify any pathogenic mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lincoln
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
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