Oligomers of α-synuclein in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2011
Keywords
α-synuclein, Soluble Oligomer, Amyloid Fibril, Protein Deposition Diseases, Aggregation Mechanism
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2774-8_6
Abstract
Misfolding and subsequent self-assembly of proteins into various aggregates is a common molecular mechanism in a number of important human diseases. Understanding the peculiarities of the protein-misfolding processes is essential for the design of successful drugs that inhibit or reverse protein aggregation, leading to protein-misfolding pathologies. Protein aggregation is a complex process characterized by remarkable polymorphism, where soluble amyloid oligomers, amyloid fibrils, and amorphous aggregates are found as the final products. This polymorphism is associated with existence of multiple, independent, and competing assembly pathways leading to aggregation. Irrespectively of aggregation mechanisms, soluble oligomers inevitably form during the self-association processes. Some of these oligomers are now considered major initiators of the pathogenic neurodegenerative cascades in the corresponding diseases. However, not all oligomers are equally harmful, and several amyloidogenic proteins form non-toxic oligomers, some of which are efficient fibrillation inhibitors. Unfortunately, information on the structural properties of soluble oligomers and mechanisms of their formation, inter-conversion, and toxicity is sparse. This chapter provides an overview of some topics related to soluble oligomers and several illustrative examples of toxic, non-toxic, productive, and off-pathway amyloid oligomers. The peculiarities of soluble oligomers of α-synuclein and its relation to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease are also discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Oligomers of α-synuclein in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease, in F. Rahimi & G. Bitan (Eds.), Non-fibrillar Amyloidogenic Protein Assemblies - Common Cytotoxins Underlying Degenerative Diseases, Springer, p. 189-216
Scholar Commons Citation
Hong, Dong-Pyo; Zhou, Wenbo; Santner, Aron A.; and Uversky, Vladimir N., "Oligomers of α-synuclein in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease" (2011). Molecular Medicine Faculty Publications. 1070.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/mme_facpub/1070
