AD/PD 2022 | Aberrant synuclein-lipid binding in Lewy body formation

Tim Bartels, PhD, University College London, London, UK discusses studies looking into the role of lipid binding of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in Lewy body formation. To investigate the importance of aberrant synuclein-lipid binding, human tissue and cellular models were used to look at the membrane binding capacity of α-Syn and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. Dr Bartels explains how lipid metabolizing enzymes modulate the contact time between α-Syn and membrane lipids. Binding has important physiological roles but longer binding times seen during disease progression result in Lewy body formation and vesicle trafficking deficits, causing cell death. Future research should focus on which lipids α-Syn preferentially binds to and the factors determining whether a contact is transient or enduring. Dr Bartels mentions the work of Yumanity, Boston, modulating lipid membrane content as a direct therapeutic target against Parkinson’s disease. This interview took place at the AD/PD™ 2022 Conference in Barcelona, Spain.