The purpose: This study investigated the role of alpha-synuclein in the development of dopaminergic neurons.
Methods: In this study a new SNCA knockout mouse line has been used to model the deficiency of alpha-synuclein function. In the knockout and control mice the dynamics of the formation of two distinct populations of dopaminergic neurons differently affected in patients with PD was studied by the comparative morphometric analysis.
Results: Here, we revealed a prominent modulating effect of alpha-synuclein on the developing DA neurons in substantia nigra (SN) which is the most affected region in PD patients. Yet, alpha-synuclein had no effect on the formation of DA neurons in ventral tegmental area which is much less susceptible to degeneration in PD patients.
Conclusion: The new line of knockout mice is a convenient model for studying pathophysiologic aspects of selective impairment of DA neurons.