Alternative alpha-synuclein transcript usage as a convergent mechanism in Parkinson's disease pathology

作者：Rhinn Herve; Qiang Liang; Yamashita Toru; Rhee David; Zolin Ari; Vanti William; Abeliovich Asa^*

来源：Nature Communications, 2012, 3: 1084.

DOI：10.1038/ncomms2032

alpha-Synuclein is implicated both in physiological functions at neuronal synaptic terminals as well as in pathological processes in the context of Parkinson's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms for these apparently diverse roles are unclear. Here we show that specific RNA transcript isoforms of alpha-synuclein with an extended 3' untranslated region, termed aSynL, appear selectively linked to pathological processes, relative to shorter alpha-synuclein transcripts. Common variants in the aSynL 3' untranslated region associated with Parkinson's disease risk promote the accumulation and translation of aSynL transcripts. The presence of intracellular dopamine can further enhance the relative abundance of aSynL transcripts through alternative polyadenylation site selection. We demonstrate that the presence of the extended aSynL transcript 3' untranslated region impacts accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, which appears redirected away from synaptic terminals and towards mitochondria, reminiscent of Parkinson's disease pathology. Taken together, these findings identify a novel mechanism for aSyn regulation in the context of Parkinson's disease-associated genetic and environmental variations.

• 出版日期2012-9