Exploring heat shock proteins as therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn). Promoting the degradation of misfolded proteins has been shown to be an effective approach to alleviate PD. This review highlights the roles of specific heat shock proteins (HSPs) in modulating α-syn aggregation and neuronal survival. HSP27 prevents glycosylation-induced α-syn aggregation, disrupts copper ion interactions, inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis, and prevents dopaminergic neuronal cell death. HSP70 alleviates dopaminergic neuronal damage by promoting mitophagy and preventing neuronal apoptosis. HSC70 plays a critical role in chaperone-mediated autophagy and facilitates lysosomal degradation. GRP78 mitigates abnormal protein aggregation. The HSP70-HSP40-HSP110 system is capable of degrading α-syn amyloid fibers. Inhibition of HSP90 expression protects neurons. Further research should prioritize developing regulators of HSPs as treatments for PD. While HSPs offer promise in PD management, their complex roles necessitate cautious therapeutic development to harness their potential. Understanding the specific roles of different HSPs will be essential to developing effective therapies for α-syn clearance.