AD/PD 2022 | Epigenomic and epitranscriptomic effects of α-synuclein in the nucleus

Research to date focuses primarily on the presence of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the synapse, rather than other subcellular compartments such as the nucleus. Tiago Outeiro, PhD, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany, talks on recent work which has demonstrated the presence of α-Syn in the nucleus of neuronal cells in human brain tissue. Pathological hallmarks, such as phosphorylation on the serine-129 residue, were shown to be increased in the brain tissue of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The presence of α-Syn in the nucleus could interfere with the regulation of gene expression. Dr Outeiro explains that the overexpression of α-Syn in Parkinson’s disease models results in epigenetic changes, such as increased DNA methylation and modifications of mRNA, affecting its stability and function. This interview took place at the AD/PD™ 2022 Conference in Barcelona, Spain.