Alpha-synuclein-induced aggregation of cytoplasmic vesicles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mol Biol Cell. 2008 Mar;19(3):1093-103. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e07-08-0827. Epub 2008 Jan 2.

Abstract

Aggregated alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) fibrils form Lewy bodies (LBs), the signature lesions of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies, but the pathogenesis and neurodegenerative effects of LBs remain enigmatic. Recent studies have shown that when overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, alpha-syn localizes to plasma membranes and forms cytoplasmic accumulations similar to human alpha-syn inclusions. However, the exact nature, composition, temporal evolution, and underlying mechanisms of yeast alpha-syn accumulations and their relevance to human synucleinopathies are unknown. Here we provide ultrastructural evidence that alpha-syn accumulations are not comprised of LB-like fibrils, but are associated with clusters of vesicles. Live-cell imaging showed alpha-syn initially localized to the plasma membrane and subsequently formed accumulations in association with vesicles. Imaging of truncated and mutant forms of alpha-syn revealed the molecular determinants and vesicular trafficking pathways underlying this pathological process. Because vesicular clustering is also found in LB-containing neurons of PD brains, alpha-syn-mediated vesicular accumulation in yeast represents a model system to study specific aspects of neurodegeneration in PD and related synucleinopathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / enzymology
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Endosomes / ultrastructure
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lewy Bodies / metabolism
  • Lewy Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Vacuoles / metabolism
  • Vacuoles / ultrastructure
  • alpha-Synuclein / chemistry
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins