Tissue transglutaminase-induced aggregation of alpha-synuclein: Implications for Lewy body formation in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

ABSTRACT: Proteinaceous aggregates containing alpha-synuclein represent a feature of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying alpha-synuclein aggregation remain elusive. Previously, tissue transglutaminase (tTGase) was found to contribute to the generation of aggregates by cross-linking pathogenic substrate proteins in Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases. In this article, the role of tTGase in the formation of alpha-synuclein aggregates was investigated. Purified tTGase catalyzed alpha-synuclein cross-linking, leading to the formation of high molecular weight aggregates in vitro, and overexpression of tTGase resulted in the formation of detergent-insoluble alpha-synuclein a

SUBMITTER: Junn E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC149956 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature