Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (May 2022)

α-Synuclein in the Synaptic Vesicle Liquid Phase: Active Player or Passive Bystander?

  • Lennart Brodin,
  • Dragomir Milovanovic,
  • Silvio O. Rizzoli,
  • Oleg Shupliakov,
  • Oleg Shupliakov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.891508
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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The protein α-synuclein, which is well-known for its links to Parkinson’s Disease, is associated with synaptic vesicles (SVs) in nerve terminals. Despite intensive studies, its precise physiological function remains elusive. Accumulating evidence indicates that liquid-liquid phase separation takes part in the assembly and/or maintenance of different synaptic compartments. The current review discusses recent data suggesting α-synuclein as a component of the SV liquid phase. We also consider possible implications of these data for disease.

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