RGD Reference Report - Localization of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synuclein during neuronal development and alterations associated with the neuronal response to axonal trauma. - Rat Genome Database

Send us a Message



Submit Data |  Help |  Video Tutorials |  News |  Publications |  Download |  REST API |  Citing RGD |  Contact   

Localization of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synuclein during neuronal development and alterations associated with the neuronal response to axonal trauma.

Authors: Quilty, MC  Gai, WP  Pountney, DL  West, AK  Vickers, JC 
Citation: Quilty MC, etal., Exp Neurol 2003 Jul;182(1):195-207.
RGD ID: 1358136
Pubmed: PMID:12821390   (View Abstract at PubMed)

Genetic and protein studies have indicated abnormalities in alpha-synuclein in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the developmental localization and cellular role of synuclein isoforms is contentious. We investigated the cellular localization of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synuclein in developing cultured rat neurons and following axonal transection of relatively mature neurons, a model that disrupts the axonal cytoskeleton and results in regenerative sprouting. Cortical neurons were grown up to 21 days in vitro (DIV). Axon bundles at 21 DIV were transected and cellular changes examined at 4 and 24 h post-injury. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that alpha- and beta-synuclein were localized to cellular cytosol and growth cones at 3DIV, with accumulating puncta-like labeling within axons and growth cones by 10-21DIV. In contrast, gamma-synuclein immunoreactivity was limited at all time points. By 21DIV, alpha- and beta-synuclein were present in the same neurons but largely in separate subregions, only 26% of puncta contained both alpha- and beta-synuclein immunoreactivity. Less than 20% of alpha-, beta-, and pan-synuclein immunoreactive puncta directly colocalized to synaptophysin profiles at 10DIV, decreasing to 10% at 21DIV. Both alpha- and beta-synuclein accumulated substantially within damaged axons at 21DIV and were localized to cytoskeletal abnormalities. At latter time points post-injury, alpha- and beta-synuclein immunoreactive puncta were localized to growth cone-like structures in regenerating neurites. This study shows that alpha- and beta-synuclein have a precise localization within cortical neurons and are generally nonoverlapping in their distribution within individual neurons. In addition, synuclein proteins accumulate rapidly in damaged axons and may have a role in regenerative sprouting.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
growth cone  IDA 1358136; 1358136 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Snca  (synuclein alpha)
Sncb  (synuclein, beta)


Additional Information