Visualization of early oligomeric α‐synuclein pathology and its impact on the dopaminergic system in the (Thy‐1)‐h[A30P]α‐syn transgenic mouse model

• Aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) into Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites is a pathological hallmark in the Parkinson ' s disease (PD) brain. The formation of alpha-syn oligomers is believed to be an early pathogenic event and the A30P mutation in the gene encoding alpha-syn, causing familial PD, has been shown to cause an accelerated oligomerization. Due to the problem of preserving antigen conformation on tissue surfaces, alpha-syn oligomers are difficult to detect ex vivo using conventional immunohistochemistry with oligomer-selective antibodies. Herein, we have instead employed the previously reported alpha-syn oligomer proximity ligation assay (ASO-PLA), along with a wide variety of biochemical assays, to discern the pathological progression of alpha-syn oligomers and their impact on the dopaminergic system in male and female (Thy-1)-h[A30P]alpha-syn transgenic (A30P-tg) mice. Our results reveal a previously undetected abundance of alpha-syn oligomers in midbrain of young mice, whereas phosphorylated (pS129) and proteinase k-resistant alpha-syn species were observed to a larger extent in aged mice. Although we did not detect loss of dopaminergic neurons in A30P-tg mice, a dysregulation in the monoaminergic system was recorded in older mice. Taken together, ASO-PLA should be a useful method for the detection of early changes in alpha-syn aggregation on brain tissue, from experimental mouse models in addition to post mortem PD cases.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

A30PA30P. alpha-synuclein

oligomers

Parkinson's disease

proximity ligation assay

pS129

Medical Science

Medicinsk vetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)