Hsc70 rescues the synaptic vesicle trafficking defects caused by α-synuclein dimers

Abstract

Aberrant buildup of α-synuclein is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. At synapses, α-synuclein accumulation leads to severe synaptic vesicle trafficking defects. We previously demonstrated that different molecular species of α-synuclein produce distinct effects on synaptic vesicle recycling, and that the synaptic phenotypes caused by monomeric α-synuclein were ameliorated by Hsc70. Here, we tested whether Hsc70 could also correct synaptic deficits induced by α-synuclein dimers. Indeed, co-injection of Hsc70 with α-synuclein dimers completely reversed the synaptic deficits, resulting in synapses with normal appearance. This work lends additional support for pursuing chaperone-based strategies to treat PD and other synucleinopathies.