Context:
Many Parkinson’s disease researchers are focused on reducing the prevalence of Synuclein alpha (SNCA) proteins in neurons as a therapeutic measure.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Understanding Synuclein Alpha (SNCA) Proteins:
Nature of SNCA:
- Found naturally in healthy cells, SNCA proteins are enigmatic entities.
- Involvement in Neurodegenerative Diseases:
- Infamous for their association with age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Features of SNCA:
Abundance and Location:
- Predominantly present in neurons, particularly in dopaminergic neurons, positioned near cell nuclei and neuronal junctions.
Structural Characteristics:
- Capable of both misfolding and forming filamentous structures.
- Unlike typical proteins with predictable three-dimensional structures, SNCA exhibits multifaceted folding patterns, leading to dysfunctional behavior when misfolded.
Aggregation Patterns:
SNCA exists in two aggregate forms within cells:
- One disrupts cellular nucleus structural integrity.
- The other aids in the degradation of misfolded proteins, crucial for cellular health.
Evolution Over Time:
- Two distinct SNCA populations emerge within cells:
- Filamentous structures resembling Lewy bodies, located around the nuclei.
- Smaller clumps known as aggresomes, also near the nuclei, formed as a means of isolating misfolded proteins for subsequent processing.
-Source: Indian Express
