An extracellular mechanism that can explain the neurotoxic effects of alpha-synuclein aggregates in the brain

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Author
Pacheco, C; Aguayo, LG; Opazo, CDate
2012-01-01Source Title
Frontiers in PhysiologyPublisher
FRONTIERS RESEARCH FOUNDATIONUniversity of Melbourne Author/s
Opazo Martinez, CarlosAffiliation
Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthMetadata
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Journal ArticleCitations
Pacheco, C., Aguayo, L. G. & Opazo, C. (2012). An extracellular mechanism that can explain the neurotoxic effects of alpha-synuclein aggregates in the brain. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY, 3, https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2012.00297.Access Status
Open AccessAbstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), display an accumulation of proteins including α-synuclein aggregates in cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. PD is a complex, progressive disease which involves damage of motor and cognitive brain regions, as well as autonomic and sensory areas. Since α-synuclein is a neuronal cytosolic protein, it is assumed that pathogenic changes induced by α-synuclein aggregates occur only at the cytoplasmic level. However, recent studies have identified the presence of extracellular α-synuclein, suggesting that the pathogenic action of this protein may also occur in the extracellular milieu through an unknown mechanism. One of the hypotheses is that extracellular α-synuclein aggregates or oligomers may directly disrupt the neuronal membrane by the formation of a pore reminiscent to the ones formed by β-amyloid aggregates. Here, we will review some evidence that support this mechanism, analyzing the interactions of α-synuclein with components of the plasma membrane, the formation of pore/perforated structures, and the implications on ionic dyshomeostasis. Furthermore, we will also discuss how this mechanism can be integrated into a general phenomenon that may explain the synaptotoxicity and neurotoxicity observed in different neurodegenerative diseases.
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