ATP13A2 and Alpha-synuclein: a Metal Taste in Autophagy.

Author: Tomas LOPES DA FONSECA ¹ ; Tiago Fleming OUTEIRO
Author Information

1. Department of Neurodegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Gottingen, 37073 Gottingen, Germany. touteir@gwdg.de
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: ATP13A2; alpha-synuclein; Parkinson's Disease; autophagy; metal homeostasis
MeSH: alpha-Synuclein*; Autophagy*; Homeostasis; Parkinson Disease
From:Experimental Neurobiology 2014;23(4):314-323
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a complex and multifactorial disorder of both idiopathic and genetic origin. Thus far, more than 20 genes have been linked to familial forms of PD. Two of these genes encode for ATP13A2 and alpha-synuclein (asyn), proteins that seem to be members of a common network in both physiological and disease conditions. Thus, two different hypotheses have emerged supporting a role of ATP13A2 and asyn in metal homeostasis or in autophagy. Interestingly, an appealing theory might combine these two cellular pathways. Here we review the novel findings in the interaction between these two proteins and debate the exciting roads still ahead.