
α-Synuclein is a neuronal protein that is at the center of focus in understanding the etiology of a group of neurodegenerative diseases called α-synucleinopathies, which includes Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite much research, the exact physiological function of α-synuclein is still unclear. α-Synuclein has similar biophysical properties as apolipoproteins and other lipid-binding proteins and has a high affinity for cholesterol. These properties suggest a possible role for α-synuclein as a lipid acceptor mediating cholesterol efflux (the process of removing cholesterol out of cells). To test this concept, we “loaded” SK-N-SH neuronal cells with fluorescently-labelled cholesterol, applied exogenous α-synuclein, and measured the amount of cholesterol removed from the cells using a classic cholesterol efflux assay. We found that α-synuclein potently stimulated cholesterol efflux. We found that the process was dose and time dependent, and was saturable at 1.0 µg/mL of α-synuclein. It was also dependent on the transporter protein ABCA1 located on the plasma membrane. We reveal for the first time a novel role of α-synuclein that underscores its importance in neuronal cholesterol regulation, and identify novel therapeutic targets for controlling cellular cholesterol levels.
Aging, anzsrc-for: 0305 Organic Chemistry, 570, Time Factors, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, 610, ABCA1, Organic chemistry, Neurodegenerative, anzsrc-for: 34 Chemical Sciences, Article, Cell Line, α-synuclein, QD241-441, α-synuclein; cholesterol efflux; ABCA1; apolipoproteins; Parkinson’s disease, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, anzsrc-for: 0307 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Humans, 3404 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, anzsrc-for: 0304 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, Neurons, Parkinson's Disease, 34 Chemical Sciences, Cell Membrane, Neurosciences, 3405 Organic Chemistry, Biological Transport, Brain Disorders, Cholesterol, anzsrc-for: 3404 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, anzsrc-for: 3405 Organic Chemistry, Neurological, Parkinson’s disease, alpha-Synuclein, apolipoproteins, cholesterol efflux, ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
Aging, anzsrc-for: 0305 Organic Chemistry, 570, Time Factors, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, 610, ABCA1, Organic chemistry, Neurodegenerative, anzsrc-for: 34 Chemical Sciences, Article, Cell Line, α-synuclein, QD241-441, α-synuclein; cholesterol efflux; ABCA1; apolipoproteins; Parkinson’s disease, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, anzsrc-for: 0307 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Humans, 3404 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, anzsrc-for: 0304 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, Neurons, Parkinson's Disease, 34 Chemical Sciences, Cell Membrane, Neurosciences, 3405 Organic Chemistry, Biological Transport, Brain Disorders, Cholesterol, anzsrc-for: 3404 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry, anzsrc-for: 3405 Organic Chemistry, Neurological, Parkinson’s disease, alpha-Synuclein, apolipoproteins, cholesterol efflux, ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
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