alpha-Synuclein
alpha-Synuclein (SNCA, also known as NACP, PD1, PARK1 and PARK4) is a neuronal protein of the synuclein family that regulates synaptic vesicle trafficking and neurotransmitter release. It is closely linked to Parkinson disease and is a component of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Browse Assay Genie's current range of alpha-Synuclein research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
alpha-Synuclein is a neuronal protein with several roles in synaptic activity, including regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking and subsequent neurotransmitter release. As a monomer it takes part in synaptic vesicle exocytosis, enhancing vesicle priming, fusion and dilation of exocytotic fusion pores. Mechanistically, it increases local Ca(2+) release from microdomains, which is essential for the enhancement of ATP-induced exocytosis.
In its multimeric, membrane-bound state, alpha-synuclein acts as a molecular chaperone. Together with cysteine string protein-alpha (DNAJC5), it assists the folding of SNAREs (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein REceptors) at the presynaptic plasma membrane, and this activity helps sustain normal SNARE-complex assembly during aging. The protein also contributes to the regulation of dopamine neurotransmission by associating with the dopamine transporter (DAT1) and modulating its activity. UniProt lists it in the cytoplasm, membrane, nucleus, synapse, axon and extracellular space.
The SNCA gene belongs to the synuclein family, which also includes beta- and gamma-synuclein. Synucleins are abundantly expressed in the brain, and alpha- and beta-synuclein selectively inhibit phospholipase D2. SNCA may serve to integrate presynaptic signalling and membrane trafficking. Alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different isoforms have been identified. Defects in SNCA have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, and SNCA peptides are a major component of amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The gene's earlier names reflect this history: synuclein, alpha (non A4 component of amyloid precursor), and Parkinson disease (autosomal dominant, Lewy body) 4. The mouse and rat orthologs are both named Snca.
Defects in SNCA have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, making alpha-synuclein a central protein in studies of the disorder.
SNCA peptides are a major component of amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
alpha-Synuclein regulates vesicle trafficking, priming, fusion and neurotransmitter release, and chaperones SNARE-complex assembly at the presynaptic membrane.
By associating with the dopamine transporter DAT1 and modulating its activity, alpha-synuclein helps regulate dopamine signalling.
alpha-Synuclein is a neuronal protein that regulates synaptic vesicle trafficking and neurotransmitter release. As a monomer it enhances vesicle priming, fusion and fusion-pore dilation; in its membrane-bound multimeric state it chaperones SNARE assembly. It also modulates dopamine transporter activity.
The gene symbol is SNCA, with aliases NACP, PD1, PARK1 and PARK4. Earlier names include synuclein, alpha (non A4 component of amyloid precursor) and Parkinson disease (autosomal dominant, Lewy body) 4. Alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different isoforms have been identified.
Defects in SNCA have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease, and SNCA peptides are a major component of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease brains. Mouse and rat orthologs are both called Snca; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other synuclein family members, synaptic proteins and neurodegeneration-related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P37840; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.