Platelet α- and γ-synucleins in Parkinson's disease and normal control subjects

Abstract

α-Synuclein (αSN) has been implicated in Parkinson's Disease (PD) and αSN is a major component of Lewy bodies (LBs). This study explored platelets as a model system for study of αSN metabolism and platelet αSN as a diagnostic marker for PD. We used Western blot analysis to characterize and compare platelet and brain α-, β- and γSN; and to quantitate αSN levels in platelets from PD and age-matched controls. We found that platelets contain full-length αSN and 6 and 12 kDa fragments, and γSN-like protein. αSN and γSN were not secreted by thrombin-activated platelets. Furthermore, we also found that the αSN and γSN levels in sporadic PD patients and age-matched normal controls were not significa..