A short overview on the role of α-synuclein and proteasome in experimental models of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Ubiquitin Proteasome System is a multi-enzymatic pathway which degrades polyubiquinated soluble cytoplasmic proteins. This biochemical machinery is impaired both in sporadic and inherited forms of Parkinsonism. In the present paper we focus on the role of the pre-synaptic protein α-synuclein in altering the proteasom based on the results emerging from experimental models showing a mechanistic chain of events between altered α-synuclein, proteasome impairment and formation of neuronal inclusions and catecholamine cell death. © Springer-Verlag 2006.