Abstract
A missense mutation in the human alpha synuclein gene was recently identified in some cases of familial Parkinson's disease (FPD). We have developed an antibody that recognizes the C-terminal 12 amino acids of the human alpha synuclein protein and have demonstrated that alpha synuclein is an abundant component of the Lewy bodies found within the degenerating neurons of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The presence of alpha synuclein in Lewy bodies of sporadic PD patients suggests a central role for alpha synuclein in the pathogenesis of PD.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Alzheimer Disease / genetics
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Brain / pathology*
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DNA Primers
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Dementia / pathology
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Exons
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Female
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Humans
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Lewy Bodies / pathology*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Mutation, Missense
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology
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Neurites / pathology
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Neurons / pathology
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Parkinson Disease / genetics*
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Parkinson Disease / pathology*
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Peptide Fragments / chemistry
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Peptide Fragments / immunology
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Phosphoproteins / analysis
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Substantia Nigra / pathology*
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Synucleins
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alpha-Synuclein
Substances
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DNA Primers
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Peptide Fragments
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Phosphoproteins
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SNCA protein, human
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Synucleins
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alpha-Synuclein