IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC AMINO ACIDS IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE PROTEIN ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN THAT CONTROL ITS TOXIC PROPERTIES

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by the death of midbrain neurons linked to the aggregation of a membrane-associated protein called alpha-synuclein. Recent studies have suggested that certain amino acids within alpha-synuclein mediate its membrane-association and aggregation, but more evidence is needed. In this study, we first mutated each amino acid to either block or enhance its proposed contribution. Using two yeast models, we then studied each mutant’s ability to associate with membranes, aggregate, and be toxic. So far, we found that each amino acid regulates membrane association and aggregation, but effects on toxicity are less clear and need more analysis