FIND ARTICLE

Volume: 
Issue: 
2
Date of issue: 
α-Synuclein (ASN) is richly abundant in the central nervous system, particulary in pre- synaptic terminals. Among many functions, ASN plays a crucial role in regulation of dopaminergic system. In physiological conditions, soluble ASN is involved in maintenance of dopamine (DA) homeostasis in the central nervous system. This protein regulates DA level and biosynthesis by inhibition of the tyrosine hydroxylase. It also influences DA storage and release from synaptic ve- sicles as well as DA uptake by its transporter (DAT). These mechanisms play a role in the main- tenance of proper DA concentration at nerve terminals, which protects against its uncontrolled co- nversion and formation of highly reactive oxidative radicals. In PD the level of cytoplasmic ASN is decreased due to its aggregation and accumulation in the form of Lewy bodies. Aggregated ASN looses its physiological functions and the ability to control the intracellular DA concentration. Excessive accumulation of this neurotransmitter in cytoplasm favours the production of toxic free radicals that may damage proteins, lipids and DNA, which, in consequence, leads to neurodegeneration.

The Editorial Board
Andrzej Łukaszyk - przewodniczący, Zofia Bielańska-Osuchowska, Szczepan Biliński, Mieczysław Chorąży, Aleksander Koj, Włodzimierz Korochoda, Leszek Kuźnicki, Aleksandra Stojałowska, Lech Wojtczak

Editorial address:
Katedra i Zakład Histologii i Embriologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu, ul. Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, tel. +48 61 8546453, fax. +48 61 8546440, email: mnowicki@ump.edu.pl

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