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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Analyzing the Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model Induced by Adeno-associated Viral Vectors Encoding Human α-Synuclein
Published on: July 29, 2022
The Parkinson disease protein α-synuclein inhibits autophagy
Ashley R Winslow1, David C Rubinsztein
1Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder affecting people. It is characterized by the accumulation of the protein α-synuclein in Lewy body inclusions in vulnerable neurons. α-Synuclein overexpression caused by gene multiplications is sufficient to cause this disease, suggesting that α-synuclein accumulation is toxic. Here we review our recent study showing that α-synuclein inhibits autophagy. We discuss our mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon and also speculate how a deficiency in autophagy may contribute to a range of pleiotropic features of PD biology.
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