Abstract
Synucleins are small proteins that are highly expressed in brain tissue and are localised at presynaptic terminals in neurons. α-Synuclein has been identified as a component of intracellular fibrillar protein deposits in several neurodegenerative diseases, and two mutant forms of α-synuclein have been associated with autosomal-dominant Parkinson's Disease. A fragment of α-synuclein has also been identified as the non-Aβ component of Alzheimer's Disease amyloid. In this review we describe some structural properties of α-synuclein and the two mutant forms, as well as α-synuclein fragments, with particular emphasis on their ability to form β-sheet on ageing and aggregate to form amyloid-like fibrils. Differences in the rates of aggregation and morphologies of the fibrils formed by α-synuclein and the two mutant proteins are high-lighted. Interactions between α-synuclein and other proteins, especially those that are components of amyloid or Lewy bodies, are considered. The toxicity of α-synuclein and related peptides towards neurons is also discussing in relation to the aetiology of neurodegenerative diseases. (C) 2000 Academic Press.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 300-309 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Structural Biology |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Amyloid
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Fibrils
- Lewy bodies
- Multiple system atrophy
- Parkinson's Disease
- α-synuclein
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Structural Biology