8x7q
pFTAA-bound E46K alpha-synuclein fibrils
Structural highlights
DiseaseSYUA_HUMAN Note=Genetic alterations of SNCA resulting in aberrant polymerization into fibrils, are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases (synucleinopathies). SNCA fibrillar aggregates represent the major non A-beta component of Alzheimer disease amyloid plaque, and a major component of Lewy body inclusions. They are also found within Lewy body (LB)-like intraneuronal inclusions, glial inclusions and axonal spheroids in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation type 1. Defects in SNCA are the cause of Parkinson disease type 1 (PARK1) [MIM:168601. A complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremor, muscular rigidity and postural instability. Additional features are characteristic postural abnormalities, dysautonomia, dystonic cramps, and dementia. The pathology of Parkinson disease involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies (intraneuronal accumulations of aggregated proteins), in surviving neurons in various areas of the brain. The disease is progressive and usually manifests after the age of 50 years, although early-onset cases (before 50 years) are known. The majority of the cases are sporadic suggesting a multifactorial etiology based on environmental and genetic factors. However, some patients present with a positive family history for the disease. Familial forms of the disease usually begin at earlier ages and are associated with atypical clinical features.[1] [2] [3] Defects in SNCA are the cause of Parkinson disease type 4 (PARK4) [MIM:605543. A complex neurodegenerative disorder with manifestations ranging from typical Parkinson disease to dementia with Lewy bodies. Clinical features include parkinsonian symptoms (tremor, rigidity, postural instability and bradykinesia), dementia, diffuse Lewy body pathology, autonomic dysfunction, hallucinations and paranoia. Defects in SNCA are the cause of dementia Lewy body (DLB) [MIM:127750. A neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by mental impairment leading to dementia, parkinsonism, often with fluctuating cognitive function, visual hallucinations, falls, syncopal episodes, and sensitivity to neuroleptic medication. Brainstem or cortical intraneuronal accumulations of aggregated proteins (Lewy bodies) are the only essential pathologic features. Patients may also have hippocampal and neocortical senile plaques, sometimes in sufficient number to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer disease. FunctionSYUA_HUMAN May be involved in the regulation of dopamine release and transport. Induces fibrillization of microtubule-associated protein tau. Reduces neuronal responsiveness to various apoptotic stimuli, leading to a decreased caspase-3 activation. Publication Abstract from PubMedalpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) assembles into structurally distinct fibril polymorphs seen in different synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy. Targeting these unique fibril structures using chemical ligands holds diagnostic significance for different disease subtypes. However, the molecular mechanisms governing small molecules interacting with different fibril polymorphs remain unclear. Here, we investigated the interactions of small molecules belonging to four distinct scaffolds, with different alpha-syn fibril polymorphs. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we determined the structures of these molecules when bound to the fibrils formed by E46K mutant alpha-syn and compared them to those bound with wild-type alpha-syn fibrils. Notably, we observed that these ligands exhibit remarkable binding adaptability, as they engage distinct binding sites across different fibril polymorphs. While the molecular scaffold primarily steered the binding locations and geometries on specific sites, the conjugated functional groups further refined this adaptable binding by fine-tuning the geometries and binding sites. Overall, our finding elucidates the adaptability of small molecules binding to different fibril structures, which sheds light on the diagnostic tracer and drug developments tailored to specific pathological fibril polymorphs. Binding adaptability of chemical ligands to polymorphic alpha-synuclein amyloid fibrils.,Liu K, Tao Y, Zhao Q, Xia W, Li X, Zhang S, Yao Y, Xiang H, Han C, Tan L, Sun B, Li D, Li A, Liu C Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Aug 27;121(35):e2321633121. doi: , 10.1073/pnas.2321633121. Epub 2024 Aug 22. PMID:39172784[4] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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