Modeling of molecular processes underlying Parkinson’s disease in cells of methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha

Abnormal oligomerisation and aggregation of the protein called alpha-synuclein (α-syn) are the key events in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent discoveries revealed cellular pathways that potentially relate neurodegenerative disease (ND) to abnormal functioning of mitochondria or anomalous glucose metabolism. In this study we describe for the first time strains of the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha that produce human GFP-tagged α-syn as a new model of molecular processes leading to PD. We observed that NCYC495-SNCA wild-type strain did not form visible α-syn amyloid-like aggregates but exhibited plasma membrane perforations and cytoplasm leakage. gcr1-2-SNCA mutant strain deficient in catabolite repression and glucose transport exhibited enhanced aggregation of fluorescently tagged α-syn. However, the observed differences did not result from the impaired glucose metabolism as were observed in both α-syn-producing strains grown on glycerol. Production of α-syn was detrimental for both strains and decreased their growth rate on alternative carbon sources. Our data suggests that H. polymorpha may serve as an informative new yeast model for deciphering molecular mechanisms of PD that regulate amyloid formation and degradation under the influence of various extra- and intracellular factors