a-synuclein: between synaptic function and dysfunction

• G. Di Rosa ^[1] ; D. Puzzo ^[1] ; A. Sant'Angelo ^[1] ; F. Trinchese ^[1]
  1. [1] New York University

     New York University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 18, Nº. 4, 2003, págs. 1257-1266
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Alpha-synuclein belongs to a family of vertebrate proteins, encoded by three different genes: a, ß, and g. The protein has become of interest to the neuroscience community in the last few years after the discovery that a mutation in the a-synuclein gene is associated with familial autosomal-dominant early-onset forms of Parkinson Disease. However, it is not yet clear how the protein is involved in the disease. Several studies have suggested that a-synuclein plays a role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. This hypothesis might help elucidate how a-synuclein malfunctioning contributes to the development of a series of disorders known as synucleinopathies.