Alpha-synuclein is an abundant presynaptic protein expressed predominantly in brain, concentrated in presynaptic nerve terminals. Alpha-synuclein is deposited as fibrillary aggregates in neurons or glial cells which is a hallmark lesion in a subset of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (all collectively referred to as synucleinopathies). Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive accumulation in selected neurons of protein inclusions containing alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin.
-Immunocytochemistry-Immunofluorescence-NBP1-05194-img0002.jpg)
Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence: alpha-Synuclein Antibody
Huang, et. al. used a panel of antibodies of different specificities, including the alpha-synuclein antibody, to map the nuclear localization of alpha-synuclein in mouse brain (1). They found different levels of cross-reactivity but were able to demonstrate endogenous expression in neuronal processes and nerve terminals, but not so much cell bodies. The alpha-synuclein antibody was also used to provide evidence to directly link oxidative and nitrative damage in brain neurodegenerative lesions to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies (2). Qing’s group was able to show that the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) phosphorylates alpha-synuclein, using the alpha-synuclein antibody (3). These results have implications for future PD disease modifying therapies.
Novus Biologicals offers various alpha-synuclein reagents including:
