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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Investigating the Spreading and Toxicity of Prion-like Proteins Using the Metazoan Model Organism C. elegans
Published on: January 8, 2015
[Is Parkinson's disease a prion disease?]
J-P Brandel1, A-G Corbillé2, P Derkinderen2
1Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne universités, UPMC University Paris 06 UMR S 1127, institut du cerveau et de la mœlle épinière, ICM, 75013 Paris, France; Cellule nationale de référence des maladies de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris cedex 13, France; Centre national de référence des agents transmissibles non conventionnels, 75013 Paris, France; Unité James-Parkinson, Fondation ophtalmologique Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France.
Parkinson's disease involves the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) proteins, exhibiting prion-like characteristics for propagation. Current research suggests no human transmission risk despite disease spread mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Protein misfolding and aggregation
- Prion biology
Context:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein).
- α-synuclein, a neuronal protein, naturally forms amyloid structures like fibrils and Lewy bodies.
- Evidence suggests a prion-like propagation mechanism for Parkinson's disease in vitro and in vivo.
Purpose:
- To explore the prion-like characteristics of α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's disease.
- To understand the sequential and predictive distribution of α-synuclein.
- To investigate Parkinson's disease as a model for studying protein aggregation and therapeutic interventions.
Summary:
- α-synuclein exhibits prion-like properties, including conformational changes, seeding, and spreading, contributing to Parkinson's disease progression.
- Braak's staging and correlation with non-motor symptoms support a prion-like progression model.
- The exact trigger for α-synuclein misfolding remains unknown, but PD serves as a key model for studying these mechanisms.
Impact:
- Highlights Parkinson's disease as a relevant model for studying proteinopathies and developing targeted therapies.
- Provides insights into the potential for early therapeutic intervention during the pre-motor phase.
- Clarifies that despite prion-like spread, Parkinson's disease is not currently considered transmissible between humans.
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