biostudies-literatureSchechter MNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNIA NIH HHSIsrael Science FoundationNINDS NIH HHSNational Institute on Aging24https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7104492biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)<h4>Background</h4>α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a protein implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). α-Syn has been shown to associate with membranes and bind acidic phospholipids. However, the physiological importance of these associations to the integrity of axons is not fully clear.<h4>Methods</h4>Biochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses in cultured neurons, transgenic mouse brains, PD and control human brains.<h4>Results</h4>We analyzed the ultrastructure of cross-sectioned axons localized to white matter tracts (WMTs), within the dorsal striatum of old and symptomatic α-Syn transgenic mouse brains. The analysis indicated a higher density of axons of thinner diameter. Our findings in cultured cortical neurons indicate a role for α-Syn in elongation of thMolecular neurodegenerationA role for α-Synuclein in axon growth and its implications in corticostriatal glutamatergic plasticity in Parkinson's disease.PMC7104492U24 NS072026P30 AG019610P30 AG19610182/12Grigoletto JGlickstein HBeach TGSerrano GEAbd-Elhadi SSharon RFriedman ASchechter MfalseA role for α-Synuclein in axon growth and its implications in corticostriatal glutamatergic plasticity in Parkinson's disease.<h4>Background</h4>α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a protein implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). α-Syn has been shown to associate with membranes and bind acidic phospholipids. However, the physiological importance of these associations to the integrity of axons is not fully clear.<h4>Methods</h4>Biochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses in cultured neurons, transgenic mouse brains, PD and control human brains.<h4>Results</h4>We analyzed the ultrastructure of cross-sectioned axons localized to white matter tracts (WMTs), within the dorsal striatum of old and symptomatic α-Syn transgenic mouse brains. The analysis indicated a higher density of axons of thinner diameter. Our findings in cultured cortical neurons indicate a role for α-Syn in elongation of th2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Mar2025-04-18T11:48:55.576Z2020-05-22T15:35:54ZS-EPMC71044923222870510.1186/s13024-020-00370-y