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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number891508
JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Volume9
Early online date18 May 2022
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 May 2022

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Biology

    Research areas

  • liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), synapse, synapsin, synaptic vesicle, synaptic vesicle clustering, α-Synuclein

ID: 95037162