Detection of α-synuclein aggregates by fluorescence microscopy

Rejuvenation Res. 2012 Apr;15(2):213-6. doi: 10.1089/rej.2011.1288.

Abstract

Parkinson disease (PD) is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases associated with motor deficiencies in humans. The symptoms are caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, which is accompanied by the misfolding and aggregation of the protein α-synuclein. Diagnosis is based on the incidence of clinical symptoms, although they only appear as a result of the irreversible damage of neurons during the disease. Identification of a suitable biomarker would allow preclinical diagnosis. We an approach to quantify single α-synuclein aggregates as a possible biomarker for PD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzothiazoles
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Circular Dichroism / methods
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Thiazoles / metabolism
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Benzothiazoles
  • Biomarkers
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Thiazoles
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • thioflavin T