[Analysis of alpha-synuclein and its significance]

Nihon Rinsho. 2004 Sep;62(9):1623-8.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Filamentous alpha-synuclein deposition is the defining hallmark of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies. The onset and progression of these diseases are thought to be related the formation of the alpha-synuclein filaments. We have analyzed posttranslational modifications of the filamentous alpha-synuclein in synucleinopathy brains by biochemical and protein chemical techniques. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed that deposited alpha-synuclein is highly phosphorylated at Ser129. We also found that alpha-synuclein is ubiquitinated in several synucleinopathy brains. The ubiquitination sites of soluble and filamentous alpha-synuclein were determined. These data have important implications for understanding the formation of alpha-synuclein filaments in synucleinopathy brains.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Chemistry
  • Humans
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinsonian Disorders
  • Phosphorylation
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SNCA protein, human
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein