On the key role played by altered protein conformation in Parkinson's disease

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2008 Sep;115(9):1285-99. doi: 10.1007/s00702-008-0072-1. Epub 2008 Jun 5.

Abstract

On the basis of the previously proposed hierarchic organisation of the central nervous system (CNS) and of its syntropic behaviour, a view of neurodegenerative diseases focusing on the assemblage of abnormal multimeric proteins (pathologic protein mosaics (PMs)) is proposed. Thus, the main focus of the present paper is on Parkinson's disease (PD) as a neurodegenerative disease, which has as crucial feature protein conformational alterations and formation of pathological PMs. Two interconnected cellular dysfunctions are discussed as main pathogenic factors of PD syndromes, namely mitochondrial deficits (i.e. energy failure, especially critical for Substantia Nigra DA neurons) and conformational protein alterations (due to genetic or environmental causes). Conformational protein alterations can trigger pathological phenomena via the loss and/or the gain of new functions. In particular, altered proteins can lead to the formation of abnormal PMs, which can, inter alia, cause distortion of cellular structures, toxic functions and/or formation of improper membrane ion channels. In view of the fact that disordered proteins can easily acquire unwanted conformation, the "disorder index" (DI) for proteins involved in PD has been evaluated. It has been found that both alpha-synuclein and tau-protein have high DI. This datum is in agreement with the observation that these two proteins synergistically promote polymerisation of each other into amyloid fibrils, favouring the formation of Lewy bodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Hazardous Substances / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / physiopathology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Protein Conformation / drug effects
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology
  • Substantia Nigra / physiopathology
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • tau Proteins