Alpha-synuclein
Protein found in humans / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the SNCA gene.[5] Alpha-synuclein is a neuronal protein that regulates synaptic vesicle trafficking and subsequent neurotransmitter release.[6][7]
It is abundant in the brain, while smaller amounts are found in the heart, muscle and other tissues. In the brain, alpha-synuclein is found mainly in the axon terminals of presynaptic neurons.[5] Within these terminals, alpha-synuclein interacts with phospholipids[8] and proteins.[5][9][10] Presynaptic terminals release chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, from compartments known as synaptic vesicles. The release of neurotransmitters relays signals between neurons and is critical for normal brain function.[5]
In Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies, insoluble forms of alpha-synuclein accumulate as inclusions in Lewy bodies.[11]
Familial Parkinson's disease is associated with mutations in the -synuclein (SNCA) gene. In the process of seeded nucleation, alpha-synuclein acquires a cross-sheet structure similar to other amyloids.[12]
The human alpha-synuclein protein is made of 140 amino acids.[13][14][15] An alpha-synuclein fragment, known as the non-amyloid beta (non-Abeta) component (NAC) of Alzheimer's disease amyloid, originally found in an amyloid-enriched fraction, was shown to be a fragment of its precursor protein, NACP.[13] It was later determined that NACP is the human homologue of synuclein in electric rays, genus Torpedo. Therefore, NACP is now referred to as human alpha-synuclein.[16]