α-Synuclein and the Pathogenesis of Parkinsons Disease

Lesions known as Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) characterise brains of Parkinsons disease (PD) patients. Intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) appears to play a key role in the generation of LBs and LNs. Such aggregation in the presence of redox metals may initiate Fenton reaction-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS thus generated may result in cytotoxic mechanisms such as the induction of DNA single-strand breaks.