Given the central role that α-synuclein plays in the pathology of PD, there has been much interest in this protein as a potential drug target1,2
α-synuclein is a naturally occurring protein, with important functions at the synapse – fully disrupting all the α-synuclein in the brain would be problematic1
Strategies are under investigation that target many stages of the α-synuclein pathological process1-5
- Targeting extracellular α-synuclein – with antibodies that would prevent cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein
- Targeting multimerization of α-synuclein – to prevent the α-synuclein combining to form fibrils
- Targeting intracellular α-synuclein – to restore α-synuclein handling inside the neuron, it might be possible to enhance signalling or breakdown processes (e.g., autophagy) within the cell
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