α-Synuclein is prone to interaction with the GC-box-like sequence in vitro

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2014 May;34(4):603-9. doi: 10.1007/s10571-014-0046-9.

Abstract

α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic protein that is widely implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and the formation of Lewy bodies. Evidence suggests that α-syn could be imported into the nucleus and subsequently disrupt normal neuronal function. The existence of α-syn in the nucleus provides the possibility of interaction with DNA leading to gene transcript regulation. Thus, CD spectra were used to determine the specific DNA sequence with which α-syn is most likely to interact. Our results indicated that α-syn was prone to preferentially interact with the GC-box-like sequence in vitro at a ratio of 2:1 or less (α-syn: the GC-box-like sequence).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lewy Bodies / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Pichia
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • DNA