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Alternative ?-synuclein transcript usage as a convergent mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathology.

ABSTRACT: ?-Synuclein is implicated both in physiological functions at neuronal synaptic terminals as well as in pathological processes in the context of Parkinson's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms for these apparently diverse roles are unclear. Here we show that specific RNA transcript isoforms of ?-synuclein with an extended 3' untranslated region, termed aSynL, appear selectively linked to pathological processes, relative to shorter ?-synuclein transcripts. Common variants in the aSynL 3' untranslated region associated with Parkinson's disease risk promote the accumulation and translation of aSynL transcripts. The presence of intracellular dopamine can further enhance the relative abundance of aSynL transcripts through alternative polyadenylation site selection. We demonstrate that the presence of the extended aSynL transcript 3' untranslated region impacts accumulation of ?-synuclein protein, which appears redirected away from synaptic terminals and towards mitochondria, reminiscent of Parkinson's disease pathology. Taken together, these findings identify a novel mechanism for aSyn regulation in the context of Parkinson's disease-associated genetic and environmental variations.

SUBMITTER: Rhinn H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3660047 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Alternative α-synuclein transcript usage as a convergent mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathology.

Rhinn Herve H Qiang Liang L Yamashita Toru T Rhee David D Zolin Ari A Vanti William W Abeliovich Asa A

Nature communications 20120101

α-Synuclein is implicated both in physiological functions at neuronal synaptic terminals as well as in pathological processes in the context of Parkinson's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms for these apparently diverse roles are unclear. Here we show that specific RNA transcript isoforms of α-synuclein with an extended 3' untranslated region, termed aSynL, appear selectively linked to pathological processes, relative to shorter α-synuclein transcripts. Common variants in the aSynL 3' un ...[more]

PMID: 23011138

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Project description:Oligomeric forms of alpha-synuclein are emerging as key mediators of pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease. Our understanding of the exact contribution of alpha-synuclein oligomers to disease is limited by the lack of a technique for their specific detection. We describe a novel method, the alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay, which specifically recognizes alpha-synuclein oligomers. In a blinded study with post-mortem brain tissue from patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 8, age range 73-92 years, four males and four females) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 8), we show that the alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay reveals previously unrecognized pathology in the form of extensive diffuse deposition of alpha-synuclein oligomers. These oligomers are often localized, in the absence of Lewy bodies, to neuroanatomical regions mildly affected in Parkinson's disease. Diffuse alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay signal is significantly more abundant in patients compared to controls in regions including the cingulate cortex (1.6-fold increase) and the reticular formation of the medulla (6.5-fold increase). In addition, the alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay labels very early perikaryal aggregates in morphologically intact neurons that may precede the development of classical Parkinson's disease lesions, such as pale bodies or Lewy bodies. Furthermore, the alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay preferentially detects early-stage, loosely compacted lesions such as pale bodies in patient tissue, whereas Lewy bodies, considered heavily compacted late lesions are only very exceptionally stained. The alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay preferentially labels alpha-synuclein oligomers produced in vitro compared to monomers and fibrils, while stained oligomers in human brain display a distinct intermediate proteinase K resistance, suggesting the detection of a conformer that is different from both physiological, presynaptic alpha-synuclein (proteinase K-sensitive) and highly aggregated alpha-synuclein within Lewy bodies (proteinase K-resistant). These disease-associated conformers represent previously undetected Parkinson's disease pathology uncovered by the alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assay.

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Alternative ?-synuclein transcript usage as a convergent mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathology.

Publications

Alternative α-synuclein transcript usage as a convergent mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathology.

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