β2-Adrenoreceptor is a regulator of the α-synuclein gene driving risk of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Copy number mutations implicate excess production of α-synuclein as a possibly causative factor in Parkinson's disease (PD). Using an unbiased screen targeting endogenous gene expression, we discovered that the b2-adrenoreceptor (b2AR) is a regulator of the α-synuclein gene (SNCA). b2AR ligands modulate SNCA transcription through histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation of its promoter and enhancers. Over 11 years of follow-up in 4 million Norwegians, the b2AR agonist salbutamol, a brain-penetrant asthma medication, was associated with reduced risk of developing PD (rate ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.76). Conversely, a b2AR antagonist correlated with increased risk. b2AR activation protected model mice and patient-derived cells. Thus, b2AR is linked to transcription of α-synuclein and risk of PD in a ligand-specific fashion and constitutes a potential target for therapies.