Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. A key pathological feature of PD is Lewy bodies, of which the major protein component is α-synuclein (α-syn). Human genetic studies have shown that mutations (A53T, A30P, E46K) and multiplication of the α-syn gene are linked to familial PD. Mice overexpressing the human A53T mutant α-syn gene develop severe movement disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms of α-syn toxicity are not well understood. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked with multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease. Here we investigated whether mitochondrial motility, dynamics and respiratory function are affected in primary neurons from a mouse model expressing the human A53T mutation. We found that mitochondrial motility was selectively inhibited in A53T neurons while transport of other organelles was not affected. In addition, A53T expressing neurons showed impairment in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiratory function. Furthermore, we found that rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, rescued the decreased mitochondrial mobility. Taken together, these data demonstrate that A53T α-syn impairs mitochondrial function and dynamics and the deficit of mitochondrial transport is reversible, providing further understanding of the disease pathogenesis and a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease . A key pathological feature of PD is Lewy bodies , of which the major protein component is α - synuclein ( α - syn ) . Human genetic studies have shown that mutations ( A53 T , A30P , E46 K ) and multiplication of the α - syn gene are linked to familial PD . Mice overexpressing the human A53 T mutant α - syn gene develop severe movement disorders . However , the molecular mechanisms of α - syn toxicity are not well understood . Recently , mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked with multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson 's disease . Here we investigated whether mitochondrial motility , dynamics and respiratory function are affected in primary neurons from a mouse model expressing the human A53 T mutation . We found that mitochondrial motility was selectively inhibited in A53 T neurons while transport of other organelles was not affected . In addition , A53 T expressing neurons showed impairment in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiratory function . Furthermore , we found that rapamycin , an autophagy inducer , rescued the decreased mitochondrial mobility . Taken together , these data demonstrate that A53 T α - syn impairs mitochondrial function and dynamics and the deficit of mitochondrial transport is reversible , providing further understanding of the disease pathogenesis and a potential therapeutic strategy for PD .
Which is the primary protein component of Lewy bodies?
Which is the primary protein component of Lewy bodies ?
α-synuclein
alpha-synuclein α-synuclein αSyn