Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
    Neuroscientist. 2004 Feb;10(1):63-72.

    Parkin and alpha-synuclein: opponent actions in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

    Source

    Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

    Abstract

    Dominant mutations in the gene for alpha-synuclein, a small presynaptic protein, can cause Parkinson's disease. Although there is still substantial debate about the precise mechanisms, alpha-synuclein is toxic to vulnerable neurons, probably as a result of its tendency to aggregate. Opposing this is another gene product that, when mutated, causes a recessive form of parkinsonism, parkin. Parkin has been recently shown to protect cells against alpha-synuclein toxicity. However, the precise details of the mechanism are unclear. This review will discuss the concept that there are multiple neuronal functions that are targeted by mutant alpha-synuclein, and in many cases, there is evidence that parkin can protect cells against damage to the same systems. The authors will also discuss ways in which to test some of these ideas, by using newly identified genes such as DJ-1 that cause similar phenotypes.

    PMID:
    14987449
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

      Supplemental Content

      Icon for HighWire Press

      Save items

      loading

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk