The many faces of α-synuclein.

"Disorders characterized by α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation, Lewy body formation and parkinsonism (and in some cases dementia) are collectively known as Lewy body diseases. The molecular mechanism (or mechanisms) through which α-syn abnormally accumulates and contributes to neurodegeneration in these disorders remains unknown. Here, Prof. Hilal Lashuel (Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Neuroproteomics), together with researchers of the University of California, provide an overview of current knowledge and prevailing hypotheses regarding the conformational, oligomerization and aggregation states of α-syn and their role in regulating α-syn function in health and disease. Understanding the nature of the various α-syn structures, how they are formed and their relative contributions to α-syn-mediated toxicity may inform future studies aiming to develop therapeutic prevention and intervention."

See: Hilal A. Lashuel, Cassia R. Overk, Abid Oueslati & Eliezer Masliah. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 14, 38-48 (January 2013) | doi:10.1038/nrn3406