Impact Biologicals now sells recombinant human alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein). Two forms are available, including the native sequence and the K23Q mutant. Both have N-terminal His tags and are provided as ultrafiltered 1 mg/ml solutions. The K23Q mutant has been associated with more rapid fibrillation (HJ Koo et al. (2008). Sequence determinants regulating fibrillation of human α-synuclein). This property can make K23Q more desirable for use as substrate in assays such as RT-QuIC that measure formation of fibril-like structures.
α-synuclein is a 140-amino acid protein that is highly expressed in the brain. It can assemble into fibrils that are associated with several neurological diseases categorized as “synucleinopathies.” These diseases include Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA, also known as Shy–Drager syndrome).
Our α-synuclein proteins are expressed in E. coli, then extensively purified through a series of chromatography steps. They are almost always in stock.
| Native human α-synuclein (full-length, N-His) |
Human α-synuclein K23Q mutant (full-length, N-His) |
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| Catalog # 301-01 1 mg – $605 |
Catalog # 311-01 1 mg – $605 |
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| Catalog # 301-05 5 x 1 mg – $2,770 |
Catalog # 311-05 5 x 1 mg – $2,770 |
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| Prices are in US dollars and do not include local taxes or shipping charges. These proteins are for research purposes only. Products may be ordered by phone +1-610-543-6320 or email. Please inquire about volume discounts. | ||
Insoluble Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Many neurodegenerative diseases involve deposition of insoluble proteins and protein fragments. In some cases (e.g., Huntington’s), the cause is a gene mutation leading to production of a mutated protein with poor solubility. In other neurodegenerative diseases, protein aggregation occurs, but the proteins in the aggregates may not contain any mutations. Notable examples of neurodegenerative diseases that can occur without any known mutations are Alzheimer’s Disease (aggregated A-beta and tau protein), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD; prion protein), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease; TDP-43 and other proteins) and Parkinson’s disease (α-synuclein and other proteins).
Possible Connection Between α-Synuclein and Parkinson’s Disease
α-synuclein is an essential protein found in the brain of all people, regardless of whether they have Parkinson’s Disease. For reasons that are poorly understood, in some individuals this protein begins to assemble into aggregates. The aggregates contain α-synuclein along with variable amounts of other proteins such as 14-3-3, ubiquitin, tau, neurofilament protein and others. When these aggregates reach a certain size, they form characteristic clusters called Lewy bodies, which are thought to contribute to brain pathology, especially in the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra produces a chemical called dopamine, which is required for precise control of bodily movement. Loss of dopamine production may contribute to the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The video below presents further information on α-synuclein and its suspected role in Parkinson’s disease. [No endorsement relationship is implied between Impact Biologicals and the creator of this video].
Webinar from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research discussing possible connection between α–synuclein and Parkinson’s Disease .
References
Please visit our list of open-source journal articles that discuss aggregation or fibrillation of α-synuclein.
