Synuclein Analysis in Adult Xenopus laevis. 2022

Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, and Elisa Angiulli, and Arianna Casini, and Rosa Vaccaro, and Carla Cioni, and Mattia Toni
Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.

The α-, β- and γ-synucleins are small soluble proteins expressed in the nervous system of mammals and evolutionary conserved in vertebrates. After being discovered in the cartilaginous fish Torpedo californica, synucleins have been sequenced in all vertebrates, showing differences in the number of genes and splicing isoforms in different taxa. Although α-, β- and γ-synucleins share high homology in the N-terminal sequence, suggesting their evolution from a common ancestor, the three isoforms also differ in molecular characteristics, expression levels and tissue distribution. Moreover, their functions have yet to be fully understood. Great scientific interest on synucleins mainly derives from the involvement of α-synuclein in human neurodegenerative diseases, collectively named synucleinopathies, which involve the accumulation of amyloidogenic α-synuclein inclusions in neurons and glia cells. Studies on synucleinopathies can take advantage of the development of new vertebrate models other than mammals. Moreover, synuclein expression in non-mammalian vertebrates contribute to clarify the physiological role of these proteins in the evolutionary perspective. In this paper, gene expression levels of α-, β- and γ-synucleins have been analysed in the main organs of adult Xenopus laevis by qRT-PCR. Moreover, recombinant α-, β- and γ-synucleins were produced to test the specificity of commercial antibodies against α-synuclein used in Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Finally, the secondary structure of Xenopus synucleins was evaluated by circular dichroism analysis. Results indicate Xenopus as a good model for studying synucleinopathies, and provide a useful background for future studies on synuclein functions and their evolution in vertebrates.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008322 Mammals Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young. Mammalia,Mammal
D000080874 Synucleinopathies Neurodegenerative disorders involving deposition of abnormal ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN in dopaminergic neurons and glial cells in the brain. Pathological aggregations of alpha-synuclein proteins results in LEWY BODIES and Lewy neurites; melanin granules in the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA and LOCUS COERULEUS; and glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Synucleinopathies are associated with mutation in the ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN (SNCA) gene on chromosome 4. PARKINSON DISEASE; LEWY BODY DISEASE with dementia; and MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY are prominent examples of synucleinopathy. a-Synucleinopathies,alpha Synuclein Pathology,alpha-Synucleinopathies,Synucleinopathy,a-Synucleinopathy,alpha Synuclein Pathologies,alpha Synucleinopathies,alpha-Synucleinopathy
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014982 Xenopus laevis The commonest and widest ranging species of the clawed "frog" (Xenopus) in Africa. This species is used extensively in research. There is now a significant population in California derived from escaped laboratory animals. Platanna,X. laevis,Platannas,X. laevi
D051844 alpha-Synuclein A synuclein that is a major component of LEWY BODIES and plays a role in SYNUCLEINOPATHIES, neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. Non-AB Component of AD Amyloid Protein,Non AB Component of AD Amyloid Protein,alpha Synuclein
D051845 gamma-Synuclein A homolog of ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN that plays a role in neurofilament network integrity. It is overexpressed in a variety of human NEOPLASMS and may be involved in modulating AXON architecture during EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT and in the adult. Gamma-Synuclein may also activate SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS associated with ETS-DOMAIN PROTEIN ELK-1. Persyn,Synoretin,gamma Synuclein
D051846 beta-Synuclein A synuclein that is closely related to ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN. It may play a neuroprotective role against some of the toxic effects of aggregated ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN. Phosphoneuroprotein 14,beta Synuclein
D020033 Protein Isoforms Different forms of a protein that may be produced from different GENES, or from the same gene by ALTERNATIVE SPLICING. Isoform,Isoforms,Protein Isoform,Protein Splice Variant,Splice Variants, Protein,Protein Splice Variants,Isoform, Protein,Isoforms, Protein,Splice Variant, Protein,Variant, Protein Splice,Variants, Protein Splice

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