Snaring the Function of Alpha-synuclein

Overview

Journal Cell

Publisher Cell Press

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2005 Nov 5

PMID 16269324

Citations 67

Authors

Nancy M Bonini

Benoit I Giasson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

It is well established that the abundant neuronal protein alpha-synuclein has a causal role in Parkinson's disease, yet the normal functions of this protein remain unclear. In this issue of Cell, Chandra et al. (2005) reveal that alpha-synuclein acts as a molecular chaperone, assisting in the folding and refolding of synaptic proteins called SNAREs. These proteins are crucial for release of neurotransmitters at the neuronal synapse, vesicle recycling, and synaptic integrity.

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