Function of α-synuclein and PINK1 in Lewy body dementia (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Akari Minami
    • Atsuko Nakanishi
    • Satoru Matsuda
    • Yasuko Kitagishi
    • Yasunori Ogura
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  • Published online on: October 27, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.1980
  • Pages: 3-9
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Abstract

α-synuclein (α-syn) is the major protein component of Lewy bodies, a key pathological characteristic of the degenerating brain. The misfolding and aggregation of α-syn is associated with both the idiopathic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). However, the function of α-syn is poorly understood, as it shows both neurotoxic and neuroprotective activities. Mutations in phosphatase and tensin homologue-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) also cause recessively inherited PD. Studies support the notion of neuroprotective roles for PINK1, as it protects cells from damage-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. PINK1 plays an essential role in mitochondrial quality control and its homeostasis is maintained through mitochondrial stabilization. The α-syn aggregation is linked to various aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction and PINK1-related mitophagy. Determination of the molecular pathways that lead to α-syn oligomerization and further aggregation may be the basis for the successful design and development of treatments for these neurodegenerative diseases. The present review summarizes the function of PINK1 underlying α-syn aggregation and the mechanisms through which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in this process.
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January-2015
Volume 35 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Minami A, Nakanishi A, Matsuda S, Kitagishi Y and Ogura Y: Function of α-synuclein and PINK1 in Lewy body dementia (Review). Int J Mol Med 35: 3-9, 2015
APA
Minami, A., Nakanishi, A., Matsuda, S., Kitagishi, Y., & Ogura, Y. (2015). Function of α-synuclein and PINK1 in Lewy body dementia (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 35, 3-9. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.1980
MLA
Minami, A., Nakanishi, A., Matsuda, S., Kitagishi, Y., Ogura, Y."Function of α-synuclein and PINK1 in Lewy body dementia (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35.1 (2015): 3-9.
Chicago
Minami, A., Nakanishi, A., Matsuda, S., Kitagishi, Y., Ogura, Y."Function of α-synuclein and PINK1 in Lewy body dementia (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35, no. 1 (2015): 3-9. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.1980